Rubin Guzman

Pd 2 6/2/14
Macbeths Downfall
Macbeths downfall was caused by many people, influencing him
substantially. His perspective on things changed once the idea of him being king got
to his head. Lady Macbeth, the three witches and Macbeth himself are all to blame
for his downfall. Lady Macbeth took part by pressuring him to kill Duncan the king,
the three witches telling him about becoming king and himself for following his
ambition more than his conscience. Lady Macbeth is the main reason to blame for
Macbeths downfall, since she desperately wanted Duncan out of the way so she
could become queen. She manipulated and persuaded Macbeth into killing Duncan
by questioning his manliness and calling him a coward. She states And live a
coward in thine own esteem, (1.7.47) She controls Macbeth with her words making
him very vulnerable. When Macbeth refuses to kill King Duncan, Lady Macbeth gets
very upset causing her to request from the spirits to unsex her and make her the
man her husband isnt. Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me
here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direct cruelty. Make my thick
blood. (1.5.47-50)
Without the three witches intervention Macbeth would have never
murdered King Duncan. The witches significantly influenced Macbeth by telling him
he would become the next king according to their prophecy. They mention All hail,
Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.53) While the witches do not directly
advise Macbeth to kill King Duncan, they use a subtle form of temptation when they
inform Macbeth that he is destined to be king. By placing this thought in his mind,

they effectively guide him on the path to his own destruction. The witches warned
him about not just becoming king also the Forest of Barman. They said once the
forest of Barman reaches the castle he would lose his position as king. His emotions
and lust over power made him rule himself. The witches made him believe that he
could never be defeated, all the prophecies the witches foretold Macbeth didnt
believe they would come true. But unfortunately the witches were right. His
ambition made him kill anyone that might threaten his position as king. Additionally,
they warned Macbeth about Macduff, he ordered for his whole family to be killed.
Not Macduff only but the same was said for Banquo and his sons.
Macbeth's downfall is attributed to a sense of over-confidence and
unchecked ambition, Macbeth knew the risks he was taking and ended up being the
cause of his own demise. At the beginning of the play he could be described as a
heroic, brave, noble man in his defense of the king in battle. He was known to be an
iconic figure, it all changes when the 3 witches warn him about his future. Macbeth
was his own enemy, He was so fond of power; he was blinded by all the good
choices he couldve made. After all the warnings he was given he continued on with
his campaign, he becomes obsessed with all the power, Thane of Glamis, Thane of
Cawdor and King. At one point before killing Duncan he has second thoughts on the
whole situation, almost like he wants out. Proceed no further in this business
(1.7.29) After killing Duncan, Macduffs family, Banquo etc. he believes its too late
to go back. Macbeth's downfall is caused by Macbeth himself, he got so caught up
with obtaining power and having too much ambition that he lost track of his own
life. Some believe that it was fate itself.