Is Macbeth Responsible For His Own Downfall
Task: To what extent is Macbeth responsible for his own downfall?
The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare between 1606-11 conveys the ambition of a man who lusts for power and his downfall from his position of greatness. Macbeth's downfall is started when three witches, using their supernatural knowledge, stir trouble in Scotland. Macbeth believes in the prophecies that they offer him and strengthened by his own ambition and encouragement from his wife, Lady Macbeth, he discovers the guilt associated with maintaining power and his downfall begins.
The three witches, lead by the powerful god of witchcraft, Hecate, are known for creating mischief in the human society are so were often looked down upon by most in the Elizabethan era. The witches are the ones who give Macbeth hope and ambition so that he begins his lust for power and position. When Macbeth returns from the battle with Banquo, he is confronted by the witches who tell him that he will be "Thane of Glamis", "Thane of Cawdor" and that he "shalt be king hereafter" (I.III.46-8). Banquo is characterised as a deep thinker who is smart and is …show more content…
Lady Macbeth, who's lust and craving for power is even more than Macbeth's, uses violence to portray how much she wants to be Queen. As Macbeth discusses how Duncan has been kind and honourable to him and that his only reason to murder is him ambition, she attacks him saying " I have given suck, and know/ how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:/ I would, while it smiling in my face,/ have pluck'e my nipple from his boneless gums,/ dash'd the brains out" (I.VII.54-8). Overwhelmed with her feelings towards the matter, he rapidly changes his mind "False face must hide what the false heart doth know (I.VII.82). Lady Macbeth is a powerful influence on Macbeth and most of his decisions actually come from him because he's not manly or brave enough to be
The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare between 1606-11 conveys the ambition of a man who lusts for power and his downfall from his position of greatness. Macbeth's downfall is started when three witches, using their supernatural knowledge, stir trouble in Scotland. Macbeth believes in the prophecies that they offer him and strengthened by his own ambition and encouragement from his wife, Lady Macbeth, he discovers the guilt associated with maintaining power and his downfall begins.
The three witches, lead by the powerful god of witchcraft, Hecate, are known for creating mischief in the human society are so were often looked down upon by most in the Elizabethan era. The witches are the ones who give Macbeth hope and ambition so that he begins his lust for power and position. When Macbeth returns from the battle with Banquo, he is confronted by the witches who tell him that he will be "Thane of Glamis", "Thane of Cawdor" and that he "shalt be king hereafter" (I.III.46-8). Banquo is characterised as a deep thinker who is smart and is …show more content…
Lady Macbeth, who's lust and craving for power is even more than Macbeth's, uses violence to portray how much she wants to be Queen. As Macbeth discusses how Duncan has been kind and honourable to him and that his only reason to murder is him ambition, she attacks him saying " I have given suck, and know/ how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:/ I would, while it smiling in my face,/ have pluck'e my nipple from his boneless gums,/ dash'd the brains out" (I.VII.54-8). Overwhelmed with her feelings towards the matter, he rapidly changes his mind "False face must hide what the false heart doth know (I.VII.82). Lady Macbeth is a powerful influence on Macbeth and most of his decisions actually come from him because he's not manly or brave enough to be