Betrayal In Macbeth's Tragic Downfall

The extent to which William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is an exploration of betrayal is portrayed through the internal and external influences on his tragic downfall. Macbeth’s moral betrayal in the play would be non-existent if it weren’t for several external factors, including the supernatural witches, and his deceitful, manipulative wife Lady Macbeth. Macbeth’s betrayal of the king is due to internal factors, however comparably is a product of external influences. Ultimately, the notion of betrayal in the play is explored thoroughly, and this betrayal eventually leads to Macbeth’s tragic demise.

Macbeth’s “Vaulting ambition” in the play is a key internal influence, which leads him to betray his morals. Macbeth is self-described as having a latent ambitious nature, although it surface due to the prophecy of the witches, or the “three weird sisters”. Pathetic fallacy is used in the witches’ ambiguous language: “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain?”. This sets the mood of the play, and the gloomy weather is a reflection of the gloomy, intangible notion of betrayal. The latent lust for power in Macbeth is surfaced by the witches prophecy: “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter”. This highlights the supernatural nature of the witches, but more
importantly is a prime external influence on Macbeth’s downfall. This prophecy leads Macbeth to betray his morals, as his ambitious lust for power grows throughout the play.

The witches further Macbeth’s tendency of betrayal by providing him with a sense of immortality: “None of women born shall harm Macbeth.” Macbeth claims to have not been truly affected by the witches’ prophecy: “I think not of them”.
Macbeth’s deceitful potential here is exposed, as he in fact is affected by the words of the witches, and he plans on acting on his ambitions which in turn lead to his moral betrayal. Banquo describes Macbeth as being “Rapt withal” in the belief that Macbeth has been affected. Therefore, the fundamental external factor of the witches is a contributor to Macbeth’s downfall, and is the basis of what leads him to moral betrayal, and to commit such murderous
deeds.

Lady Macbeth is another vital external influence on Macbeth’s moral betrayal and betrayal of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”. This simile, and latter metaphor, highlights Lady Macbeth’s deceitful nature, and juxtaposes the innocence Macbeth should show on the outside, and the reality of the plans for regicide. King Duncan speaks this ironic statement in the hope for a noble thane: “We love him highly, and shall continue our graces towards him”. This is ironic because Macbeth has been influenced by his manipulative wife to murder King Duncan, which exemplifies the betrayal of the king.

Lady Macbeth’s ability to manipulate her husband is primarily a pathway to Macbeth’s betrayal both morally and toward the people of Scotland. Lady Macbeth continually criticizes Macbeth’s masculinity and courage: “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white.” This drives Macbeth’s ambitions and lust for power further and causes him to betray his values. Macbeth is evidently manipulated by his wife: “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat”. This conveys Macbeth’s susceptibility to emotional pressure, a key internal influence on his tragic downfall. He is settled on committing regicide in order to gain power, which illustrates his betrayal of King Duncan who trusted him, calling him “noble Macbeth”. The Betrayal of Macbeth’s morality is evident when he is guilty and remorseful toward Duncan’s murder: “I am afraid to think what I have done”. He has understood that he has betrayed himself and his moralities. Therefore, the external influence of Macbeth’s manipulative wife is a fundamental cause of his moral betrayal and betrayal of the King, which ultimately leads to his tragic demise.

As can be evidently seen, the internal and external influences of Macbeth’s tragic downfall convey the extent to which Macbeth is an exploration of betrayal. Macbeth’s “Vaulting ambition” and his susceptibility to emotional pressure are surfaced by the external factors of the Witches and Lady Macbeth. These factors cause his betrayal, morally and toward King Duncan. The intangible notion of betrayal helps Shakespeare to present a realistic portrayal of humanity.