Lady Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

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Ambition is favourable trait, in the right amount. Too little, and you won’t achieve anything, being apathetic in your life; not striving towards a goal, your life will be meaningless. But too much can be far more dangerous, willing to go to great lengths for your goal. Not caring what you have to do, ignoring morality to get what you want. This is the problem that plagues Macbeth. He was too ambitious, too tempted by power and remain in that power. This temptation was his fatal flaw, a metaphorical crack in his armour. His vaulting ambition is what makes Macbeth weak in leadership, and what ultimately brings his downfall. Because of his temptation, he becomes easily manipulated by Lady Macbeth. A few strong, devious words from Lady Macbeth …show more content…
Possibly the most haunting thing about Macbeth’s actions is that Macbeth knew ultimately that he was doing something horrible; it was against his morals, against his (great) sense of honour. He willingly, even eagerly partook in heinous deeds, just because of his desire to become the top dog, the ultimate source of power. He killed his own best friend and his King, all for power, all because of his ambition. This great temptation thoroughly took hold of him, possessed him to commit terrible acts. Macbeth loses all emotion, all sense of right and wrong, as soon as he envisions himself in power. Countless times throughout the play, we can see that Macbeth is having an inner conflict between his morals and his vaulting ambition. This is exceptionally noticeable in Act 1 Scene 7, where Macbeth debates whether or not he should kill Duncan. His monologue about the loyalty he owes to Duncan, and how terrible it would be to kill Duncan, because of Macbeth’s own morals, and the consequences. He even realizes that his ambition will be his downfall, in the insightful comparison of his ambition to that of a horse-rider. ‘I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on another.’ This line shows that Macbeth knows that ambition will make him do terrible things, and be his downfall, like a horse rider who, in trying to leap into the horse's saddle, leaps over the horse. Even though Macbeth knows that this is just his ambition tempting him, he still chooses to partake in these actions, actions he knows are wicked and villainous. He resorts to Machiavellian tactics, which is to resort to any means in order to establish and maintain total authority. It is so interesting to see Macbeth wrestle with his emotions, his conflicting sense of morality and his fierce desire, because he is relatable to
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