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Macbeth

Macbeth is responsible for his own downfall

February 11, 2021 by Essay Writer

In the beginning of the play Macbeth, the witches confronted Macbeth and Banquo and prophesied that Macbeth would be “Thane of Glamis”, “Thane of Cawdor” and ” King hereafter”. As from then, we acknowledge that Macbeth is a weak character. Macbeth could have dismissed the prophecies as fantastical like Banquo did. But instead Macbeth chooses to believe in those miss-interpreted predictions, which ultimately lead to his own downfall. From the start when the witches said that Macbeth would be king hereafter Macbeth seems to be taken in by the predictions then suddenly commands the witches to be told more.

Also MacBeth’s downfall is caused mainly by himself, he was the one that plotted those murders, he himself killed King Duncan, his fellow general Banquo and the family of Macduff. Another factor of his own downfall was his ambition; he strived to become King of Scotland that he lost all his humane emotions.

During the beginning of the play, the witches play an important part in what was to be the main factor of the whole play, that main factor was MacBeth’s downfall.

In the start where Macbeth and Banquo confronted the witches, the 3 witches addressed Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor, The Thane of Glamis and King hereafter. From that moment one the decision Macbeth faced would change and alter his life forever. Instead of choosing to dismiss the predictions as some gibberish Macbeth was quite taken in by it. And he even went as to command the witches to tell him more.

“Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more………..Upon this blasted heath

you stop our way with such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you!”

(Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 69 – 77)

MacBeth’s downfall was none others faults except his own. He chose to accept the prophecies knowingly it had consequences. When Macbeth chose to accept the predictions that he would be ” king hereafter” he immediately looked upon Duncan and in his mind began to plot his death. He even went as far as to invite Duncan to his castle. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth began to fill with darkness, he neither then without guidance nor with the approval of his wife, Lady Macbeth he ordered Banquo killed by hiring 2 murderers. From there MacBeth’s downfall was quite of evil intent. He murdered Macduff’s wife and child.

” I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell

That summons thee to heaven or to hell.”

( Act 2 Scene 1 Lines 62-64)

” It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight”.

(Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 140-141)

” I hope in no place so unsanctified where such as thou mayest find him………He has killed me, mother! Run away, I pray you.”

(Act 4 Scene 2 Lines 81-88)

MacBeth’s ambition was to be King of Scotland, after the witches greeted him as “King hereafter” MacBeth has strived to be king. His ambition was far too great and his strive to be king took over him replacing him with an evil shell, murdering anyone who stands between him and the throne. MacBeth’s ambition was the creation of his downfall; his ambition to be king overtook his humane qualities, and drove him to the point of madness.

” Thy very stones prate of my whereabouts and take the present horror from the time.

Which now suits with it. – Whiles I threat, he lives: Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.

(Act 2 Scene 1 Lines 59-61)

MacBeth is a character of weak moral. MacBeth’s downfall is entirely his fault, as he chooses not to dismiss the prophecies but instead become more eager to learn more of him ascending the throne of Scotland. MacBeth killed Duncan and all those other innocent people and that was a major contribution to his own downfall. Also MacBeth chose to obey the witches prophecies and fact commit and murder that would turn the moral orders of the world upside down. Thus, MacBeth’s downfall was entirely without blame his fault. The witches and Lady MacBeth were just characters but the evil intent was inside MacBeth all the time.

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