Macbeths downfall is due to one thing and one thing only. Ambition. However, he did not act alone. The fire of his desire for power were fed not only by his own hunger, but also by his wife and the three witches. There are some that may blame those very witches that Macbeth encounters as he and Banquo make their way home from the battlefield.
Macbeth’s motive for murdering King Duncan was possibly based upon pleasing his wife as much as Macbeth’s desire to assume power. Macbeth committed the murder but Lady Macbeth was the strategist behind the plot. She was the one whom persuaded Macbeth, drugged the guards beforehand, calmed Macbeth down and instructed him what to then do afterwards. One would ponder as to why she did not murder King Duncan herself but the reason for this is revealed when she commented that she would have killed Duncan herself had he not resembled her father as he slept. This shows throughout all the meticulous planning of this cold hearted plot, deep down, Lady Macbeth had a level of morality that was not shown openly.
This also points to how unintelligent Macbeth really was. This is true for Lady Macbeth as well, as she convinced Macbeth to follow through with the plan, even with Macbeth doubting himself so much. I don’t think anyone could have predicted how Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both responded to Duncan’s murder. In committing the murder, Macbeth became king, but he would also become a nervous wreck that could be executed at any
When Macbeth is talking to Lady Macbeth he says, “I will, to the weird sisters: / More shall they speak,” (3.5.134-135). In this context Macbeth is anxious to go to the witches to see if he should fear anyone taking his newfound power from him. This shows that he has acquired what he wanted however he doesn’t feel secure, this shows that he relies on the witches for support and cannot think without first taking into consideration what the witches say. Before this
The Witches' prophecies for Banquo was what led to his death. They prophesied that Banquo would be live happier than Macbeth. They also stated that Banquo's descendants would become king but he would not be. When Macbeth became king this prophecy became a potential threat and led him onto murdering Banquo. Lady Macbeth had no responsibility in this murder.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins with Macbeth being of high nobility, strength, and bravery. Throughout the play, Macbeth will have a complete change in his reputation and personality all due to his cold-hearted wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth in Macbeth starts off being known as “worthy” and “brave” but as the play progresses, his attitude and reputation changes into a “tyrant” and hated by all. Macbeth starts off the play being referred to as a “noble partner” (1.3.57) by Banquo, Macbeth’s partner. Macbeth goes to see the three weird sisters, also known as the witches, and is told that he will be the “Thane of Glamis” as well as the “Thane of Cawdor" (1.3.51).
She expresses her determination and the desire she has for the third prophecy to come true. She knew that Macbeth would be too kind of a man to complete the task at hand. Lady Macbeth: “What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness “ (1.5.15-16) Knowing that Macbeth wouldn’t have the heart to kill the king, she conjured up the master plan to kill Duncan. In act 1 scene 7, she revealed the plan to Macbeth, saying that they will drunken Duncan’s chamberlains, then slip in and stab Duncan with the chamberlains’ weapons. Lady Macbeth: “What cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan?” (1.7.76-77) Lady Macbeth’s plan
Macbeth desire to be king causes him to believe the witches for their prophesies have come true before. He is unable to see the witches as the most dangerous characters in the play. Without the witches playing upon Macbeth’s ambitions, it is doubtful that Macbeth would have committed the murders. The witches play the part of the instigators, and help Macbeth to continue his acts of violence. Even though they are able to see that his acts will lead him to his downfall, they continue to let him kill others.
Betrayal Leads to Bad Decisions Betrayal is something that will have negative consequences. William Shakespeare shows different ways of consequences in “Macbeth”. At the beginning of the play Macbeth and Banquo, two captains, are loyal to King Duncan. After receiving predictions from three witches Macbeth they betrayed each other when they didn’t expect it. Macbeth betrays King Duncan because the witches told him he will become king.
The Witches are responsible for what happens to Macbeth Although Macbeth does take actions that lead to his downfall, I believe that he is not totally responsible for what happens. Although he takes the action that leads to his downfall, he perhaps would not have done this if the witches had not told him that he would be king in Act 1 Scene 3. I believe that it is the witches are more responsible for Macbeth's downfall than he is. In Act 1, Scene 3, the witches tell Macbeth that he is thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and that he "shalt be king hereafter". Immediately after hearing the witches prophesise that he will be king, Macbeth thinks that he must kill the current king to become king himself.