It could be that he has damaged himself so that he is unable to feel empathy for others - or that the evil is innate. Macbeth displays some very evil characteristics - selfishness, coldness, obsession and cold-blooded murder. Shakespeare explores the degree to which he alone is responsible, and how far others contribute to Macbeth is perhaps Shakespeare's greatest exploration of the problem of evil. Evil is positioned both within and without. The witches are objective figures but Macbeth's first utterance in act 1, scene 3 suggests that he shares a similar thought with the witches.
Shakespeare’s objective is to show how the guilt Is driving her insane. Shakespeare also does this with the semantic field of death; “death and blood” are used through her sleep-walk. This implies that her guilt of killing Duncan is driving her insane this technique is used by Shakespeare to portray Lady Macbeth’s broken state of mind which makes her restless. In Act 2 Scene 2, the witches say "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep,” this is exactly what has happened to Lady Macbeth as she is unable to sleep.
Banquo states, “That, trusted home, might yet enkindle you unto the crown, besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ‘tis strange: And of oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles to betrays In deepest consequence.” (1.3.121-224). Banquo tells Macbeth that the witches predictions are evil and they must not assume that such prophecies of power, and greatness tell are true. Some say it is the fault of Lady Macbeth that Macbeth is sent to his death. However, he could have easily not listened to her at all.
"And often to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths." This quote is spoken by Banquo, it expresses the cunning, foul witches and how they play with the minds of the weak, in this case Macbeth's aspiring consciousness, in order for acts of evil to be committed by telling only half truths. Banquo confronts our protagonist about these 'Instruments of darkness', but in defiance to this warning, our protagonist is consumed by his desire to acquire power, sending this warning into oblivion. This is the beginning of Macbeth's destruction, his vulnerability is unearthed as we start to uncover his own instrument of evil embedded deep within the core of his soul. We start to see that seed of corruption growing, and how he is not so noble after all.
Another prophecy made by the witches was that Banquo's son will be king. Fuelled by paranoia, lack of sleep andvisions, Macbeth was thrown into a state of confusion and a belief that the prophecies were inevitable. Lady Macbeth urged her husband to commit murder and it was this action that sparked Macbeth's downfall. When Lady Macbeth heard about the prophecies made by the witches, and how one of them had already come true, she called upon evil spirits to guide her through her task - killing the king. ."..
Dark versus light is apparent throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Macbeth’s evil darkness intensifies as his light and goodness diminish. The witches are the root of evil, and as Macbeth interacts with them, his journey into the darkness begins. If this evil had never perished, the world would be utter chaos. Lady Macbeth’s darkness cannot completely over take her life because within Lady Macbeth a glimmer of light must always be evident.
With the witches’ prophecies mulling over in his mind, and knowing that he was not the successor of the throne, he knew he had to take matters into his own hands. With the support and persuasion of Lady Macbeth, he kills King Duncan and gains his kingship. When Banquo makes his vow to find out who killed Duncan, Macbeth knew he had to silence him. After Macbeth is named king, he seeks out hired murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth does this because he is afraid that Banquo will get in the way of his new title and Fleance, because he is prophesied to be king.
On the other hand, his wife becomes so guilty for their deed she begins to sleepwalk and talk of their crime in the night. She becomes depressed and soon after kills herself. Then Macbeth is murdered by Macduff and many others who rebelled against the crazy king. The imagery in Macbeth used to connect with the main theme are light and darkness, blood, and sleep. The image of light and darkness are used to highlight good and evil.
No one to blame but Macbeth Decisions can be impacted by a number of factors; but in the end we have to be the ones to take responsibility for our actions. This is demonstrated when we see Macbeth transform from a brave soldier to a power-hungry murderer, feared by all his subjects. Macbeth is the one to blame for his own descent into cruelty and murder because he let his ambition, arrogance and greed take over his mind. While some may claim that Macbeth is to blame for his actions, others argue that it is the force of the supernatural that leads to his demise. Early on the witches reveal prophecies to Macbeth suggesting his rise to power.
So they will "hover" in the fog, and in the dust and dirt of battle, waiting for the chance to do evil. Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" is a paradox, a statement that appears to be contadictory but actually expresses the truth. The witches are foul, but they give fair advice. Macbeth seems like a hero, but he is a plotter and dastard. It is quite interesting to note that the words of the witches will have an echo in Macbeth’s “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”.