In Shakespeare's Macbeth the story is set in the eleventh century Scotland. Macbeth, a noble kinsman to King Duncan, is approached by three witches with a prophecy. Their prophecy predicts that he will become Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and soon after, the King of Scotland. Macbeth, being the loyal kinsman that he is, realizes that in order to become king, King Duncan would need to be overthrown or exiled. Neither of which, are part of Macbeth's mindset in becoming king, that is, until Macbeth informs his wife about the prophecy. This was the start of the influence of evil that was brought upon Macbeth's life. Macbeth is not worried about being king at all until the witches come to Macbeth with their prophecy. Lady Macbeth is able to persuade her husband into killing Duncan, thus making him king. The witches and Lady Macbeth cause not only a spark, but also an influential push into the direction of evilness. .
Macbeth is persuaded into killing Duncan by Lady Macbeth, which starts the entire downfall of Macbeth and his wife. Macbeth is perfectly content with not killing Duncan, he thinks to himself, "If chance have me king, why, chance may crown me// Without my stir" (1.4.157-159). Macbeth expresses, that if the prophecy says he will be king, then why not let nature take its course as opposed to trying to overthrow or kill Duncan. Macbeth has no qualms in waiting for his turn; however, Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth's manhood, which causes Macbeth to want to prove his manhood. She scolds Macbeth, "Art thou afeard// To be the same in thine own act and valor// As thou art in desire?" (1.7.43-45). In other words, she is questioning his courage to follow through with what it takes to become king. Being very manly is an important aspect to men because it proves strength and the ability to protect and care for others, so when Macbeth's wife calls him unmanly it diminishes his entire demeanor as being a manly protector.
