Macbeth's actions are heavily impacted by the many persons he encounters from the start of the play. Macbeth is presented as a decent guy at the start of the play. "Valiant," "a good and strong soldier," as well as honorable, worthy, and wise (I.ii.24). However, these qualities are quickly overshadowed by his desire for power over others. He murders King Duncan to secure this power, and later has himself crowned king. Throughout the play, several people attempt to influence or force Macbeth into action. For example, Lady Macbeth urges him to murder King Duncan, which he does without hesitation. She also tries to get him to commit suicide after he has been defeated by Malcolm and Donald in I.iii, but fails. Finally, she convinces him to go to Scone to anoint a new king after the death of Duncan. When Macbeth meets with the three judges at the end of act 1, it is Lady Macbeth who speaks for him. Even though Macbeth is not present at the beginning of act 2, we learn that he has already murdered King Duncan. This fact influences how other characters perceive both him and Lady Macbeth. After all, if Macbeth has already committed murder, then what he says next time they meet can never be taken back.