Macbeth's Downfall Essay

Submitted By outatheblue132
Words: 908
Pages: 4
Open Document
Macbeth’s downfall is a huge factor in the famous play by William Shakespeare. He is tormented by guilt and pressed to do things that most humans would consider unimaginable. Yet there is something that pushed Macbeth to go through with the awful crime of murder. One may question who or what made Macbeth pursue the horrendous killing. Lady Macbeth is the one person that is at fault for Macbeth’s actions. With her devious ways she convinced Macbeth to commit a crime and now she must pay the ultimate price.

Lady Macbeth is an overbearing and tyrannical woman. She wanted her way to be the only choice, and Lady Macbeth wanted Duncan dead. She would do whatever it took to make sure that Duncan was murdered and her husband had all the power of Scotland. “Come, you spirits, unsex me here…come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall.” (Shakespeare 33 Line 48) Lady Macbeth is asking for her femininity to be seized so that she may be brave enough to commit the murder. Then, in Act 1 Scene 7, Lady Macbeth decides to give the awful deed to her husband. The couple discussed what would be happening that night, and finally agreed that the murder of Duncan would be the best for them. Then Macbeth says, “We will proceed no further in this business.” (41 Line 34) Lady Macbeth becomes very upset and questions Macbeth’s manhood. She snaps back with, “I have given suck, and know 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.” (43 Line 61) Lady Macbeth is saying that if Macbeth had told her to, she would have killed a baby. She is trying to guilt him into doing the deed and persuades him by telling Macbeth everything she would do for him out of love. Yet Macbeth has doubts. His inner self is pleading him not to do the crime, and his morals are taking over him. But Lady Macbeth is inclining him to go against what he believes. “If we should fail-“(43Line 68) This shows that Macbeth is having regrets about what he is about to go through with. Lady Macbeth is a tremendous part in forcing Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan, the King of Scotland.

After Macbeth commits the crime, and Duncan is dead, he has a huge mental breakdown. “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on ‘t again I dare not.” (59 Line 65) Macbeth is reflecting on the horrible deed that he’s done and cannot even imagine how he pulled through to do it. But Lady Macbeth tries to reassure him to make the murder seem okay. Macbeth says, “What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” (59 Line 77) He is explaining that he doesn’t think any amount of water will wash away the blood of Duncan and the guilt of his. He will never be cleansed and the regret is overwhelming. Lady Macbeth interjects and soothes him with, “A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! Your constancy hath left you unattended.” (59 Line 86) She is trying to make the murder less of a
Show More

Related Documents: Macbeth's Downfall Essay

Macbeth's Downfall

the problems we encounter, it could have the fault of more than one person. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, it shows us the downfall of Macbeth and who contributed to it. The person I believe is responsible for Macbeth's downfall is himself due to him being overly ambitious and could’ve made the right choices. One of the reasons for Macbeth’s downfall is him being overly ambitious throughout the play. In Act 1 Scene 7 it says “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/…

Words 726 - Pages 3

Ambition In Macbeth's Downfall

unrecognizable version of himself. Such was the case in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where ambition was the tragic flaw that lead to Macbeth’s downfall. Macbeth’s unyielding ambition and lust for position causes the degradation of his character and overshadows his morality, as he constantly seeks greater power, commits horrible deeds, and alters relationships. Macbeth’s ambition drives his quest to obtain higher power or greater security at all costs, and ultimately the position of king. After Macbeth…

Words 505 - Pages 3

Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

with their position. Macbeth’s downfall is seen from the beginning of the play, through his mentality and desperate hunger for power. The final element that leads to his downfall is his constant killing. Macbeth is to blame for his own downfall; his greed, pride and ambition eventually leads him to his death. Macbeth’s mentality allows him to believe he should be king, which easily gives way to mocking. This is the first thing that proves Macbeth is to blame for his downfall. After the witches’ prophecy…

Words 844 - Pages 4

Essay On Macbeth's Downfall

being said it can only be concluded that the character, Macbeth, and his downfall from the play, “Macbeth” written by Shakespeare is solely his fault due to how naive he is. This is because with little evidence provided Macbeth is quick to believe in the Witches, with a small persuasion from his wife Macbeth decides…

Words 1227 - Pages 5

Lady Macbeth's Downfall

manipulating his decisions of doing the right thing rather using his role in the hierarchy for bad. The influences of the witches’ prophecies, the control of lady Macbeth and Macbeths overall ambitions to be greater all play key factors that lead to the downfall of Macbeth and the events…

Words 1059 - Pages 5

Who Is To Blame For Macbeth's Downfall?

a play by William Shakespeare, is an example of a loyal soldier’s, Macbeth’s, downfall, but who really is responsible? The character most responsible for Macbeth’s downfall is Macbeth, himself, because he is overly ambitious, easily manipulated, and his willingness to believe the witches. Obviously, Macbeth’s characteristics are the reason for his own downfall. Some people may argue that Macbeth is not responsible for his downfall by being easily manipulated because the people around him are the…

Words 650 - Pages 3

Lady Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

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…

Words 1359 - Pages 6

Who Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

Who Caused Macbeth’s Downfall Was It Macbeth Himself? In the story Macbeth by Shakespeare, the topic of discussion becomes who caused Macbeth’s downfall. There is many instances in the story that would lead the audience to believe that it could have been any character in the story Macbeth. One of the major instances that comes about in this writing has to do with how Macbeth himself acts towards everyone else. When his downfall started to happen in the first couple of scenes, that is when you could…

Words 579 - Pages 3

Macbeth's Downfall Research Paper

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who is responsible for Macbeth’s downfall? There are many answers to this question. Some people may claim the three witches, Lady Macbeth, or even Macbeth himself responsible for his downfall. But who really is to blame for Macbeth’s downfall? I believe that Lady Macbeth is most responsible, and should be blamed for Macbeth’s downfall. One reason why I believe Lady Macbeth should be blamed for Macbeth’s downfall is that she is a manipulative person. While some people…

Words 183 - Pages 1

Lady Macbeth's Downfall

manipulative and conniving. Her true character is first revealed as she comments on Macbeth’s letter. She is firm of purpose and knows that by using her husband as a pawn, she will reach her ultimate goal to become the queen of Scotland. This desire for the crown ultimately leads to her own demise. This initial wave of power and her downward spiral are observed in her reaction to Macbeth’s letter, her loss of control over Macbeth’s decision making process,…

Words 1573 - Pages 7