I think Macbeth deserves a severe punishment, if only for all the gratuitous murders he instigated or committed. At root was his immense ambition, which resulted in his determination to gain Duncan's throne at any price. It could be argued that his wife, Lady Macbeth, encouraged him in this--indeed she was even more ambitious and seemed to goad him on. Yet he must take responsibility for all the bloodshed. He is much more an agent of death than a victim.
