Lady Macbeths Downfall

Macbeth is first introduced as a courageous warrior who is defending his country against the Norwegians. Also he is well trusted by his soldiers, and a noble kinsman to King Duncan. How can a man of this status become a tyrannical ruler and a ruthless killer? The answer to this simple question is ambition that is awakened by the witches’ prophecies. Lady Macbeth is also an essential part in Macbeth’s downfall. She pushes him to his mental breaking point, beyond the degree of insanity just for power. He begins the play with good intentions, but ends up deteriorating in front of the audience’s eyes. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth exemplifies the characteristics of a tragic hero throughout the play. Why do
we pity Macbeth? Throughout the play Macbeth commits heinous acts of violence towards anyone who poses as a threat against him. Despite the deeds he has committed readers’ still feel pities against him. Why? “His motive is pure because his ambition is never the murder of Duncan but the possession of royal power. He finds it as the only way towards the crown” (Kumaresan). Macbeth’s underlying ambition has always been present, but it is Lady Macbeth’s persistence and manipulative nature that help intensify it. After the witches tell Macbeth his future, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee Thane of Cawdor…thou shalt be king hereafter!” Lady Macbeth comes up with a plan to murder Duncan while he is a guest in their home (1:3:50-52). Macbeth is apprehensive and begins listing the reasons why he should not commit the murder: “…that we but teach bloody instructions which being taught return to plague th’ inventor.
He’s here in double trust” (1:7:9-11). He is saying by committing violent crimes only influences others to commit violent crimes, and the king fully trust him so why he is he going to betray Duncan. “His nobility is clear when he contemplates on Duncan’s double trust in him” (Kumaresan). Macbeth is beginning to suppress his ambition and starting to think about the consequences that come with committing the murder. Lady Macbeth begins to use her manipulative tactics to convince her husband that her plan is best. She first begins to insult his manhood by claiming he is not a man until he commits the deed. Then she claims if she agrees to do something nothing stands in her way of fulfilling that promise: “How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this”(1:7:56-60). Lady Macbeth states she would dash a baby’s brains out while it was smiling up at her if that’s what she sworn she was going to do. Her understanding of her
husband allows her to use him. Macbeth gives in to his wife’s temptations, and decides to go through with her plan and kill the king. Shortly following the murder Macbeth feels consumed with guilt and regret. This situation is one the reader’s can identify with. Macbeth is pressured into a position he initially has no way out of. He is forced to choose between doing what is right or pleasing his wife. Unfornately Lady Macbeth’s persuasive ways get the best of Macbeth. He is crowned the new king of Scotland shortly after Duncan’s assassination since his sons (Donalbain and Malcolm) fled Scotland in fear for their lives. The readers also feel pity for Macbeth when his wife commits suicide. At this point of the play he is absolutely alone with no one on his side.
Explaining Macbeth’s debilitating mental state Macbeth is now becoming paranoid about his future after being crowned king.
The guilt of Duncan’s murder is still weighing heavily on his mind. People are starting to become suspicious of Macbeth. Duncan’s murder is becoming a domino effect. Macbeth now has to kill any he sees fit to keep his throne. He begins to see Banquo as a threat and hires murderers to kill him and his son. Fleance escapes but Banquo is ultimately killed. After Banquo’s murder his ghost appears at a dinner party Macbeth is hosting at his castle. This is significant because this situation represents Macbeth’s guilt beginning to consume him. Macbeth is also liable for the murder of Lady Macduff and her family. Since Macduff flees to England he cannot directly kill him so he comes after his family. Each murder he is responsible for eating away at his conscience. The pain, guilt, and regret is going to become too much for him to handle. It is at this point in time his mental state takes a turn for the worst. Macbeth is beginning to become unstable and starts making irrational decisions. He begins to have hallucinations and isolates himself from others: “Is this a dagger which I see before me…A dagger of the mind, a false creation…” (2:1:33-38). He is picturing the dagger he is going to use to kill the king. Before Duncan’s death Macbeth’s mind is already compromised. He has lost his peace of mind because the guilt: “O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife” (3:2:39). Macbeth’s thoughts pain
him just like a scorpion’s sting. He is telling his wife he can no longer rests comfortably because he has lost that privilege. “The evidence of deterioration is in the visual contrast between Duncan’s murder and Lady Macduff’s” (Markel).
Why is Macbeth a tragic hero and not a villain? Why is Macbeth not considered a villainous monster? Death and destruction causes unnatural disharmony in Macbeth’s soul (Kumaresan). He cannot fake a smile on his face his emotions always shine through. He is responsible for his own destruction. Macbeth feels remorse and shame for his actions. Macbeth can also be influenced by outside forces. This trait shows he has a conscience and he actually feels remorse for the crimes he commits.