Macbeth's Responsibility for His Own Downfall
During this time in British history, there were many violent battles
and plots used in everyday life. It was not wrong to barbarically kill
someone using extreme methods during a battle. In fact, if the person
was an enemy, rewards were entitled. Many people were also greatly
affected by the Kings views on certain issues, and no one really had
an opinion of their own, and if they ever spoke out against the King,
serious punishments would have been applicable. I think that this was
one of the reasons Macbeth committed the crimes he did. The
surroundings, in which he was in as Thane of Glamis, influenced him
greatly and he became bloodthirsty and excessively ambitious, even to
the point where he was willing to kill another human being in order to
get what he wanted. In my essay, I will begin to explain the people,
the circumstances and certain aspects of Macbeth’s own personality,
which drove him to commit such horrific crimes.
In the first scene of the play, the witches are firstly introduced to
the reader. The detail of this scene urges the reader’s imagination to
sense a confusion of the usual human nature. The scene is a reverse of
human values, and the readers mind enters a world of darkness and
becomes a sinister challenge to ordinary goodness. The last lines of
scene one, which the witches announce, “Foul is fair and fair is foul,
hover through the fog and filthy air,” suggests that there is to be a
complete change in someone’s life. In the third scene of the first
act, the reader meets the witches again, this time they recount the
dreadful things they can do to men and their conv...
... middle of paper ...
...Macbth to
reassure him and keep him in a clear and concise state of mind. This
time with Banquo, he has no one to turn to and no one to help him. I
think this is why he hallucinates and begins to go slightly insane.
I think that the most important factors in Macbeths downfall are the
extreme ambition which Macbeth’s personality contains, and also Lady
Macbeth, who persuades him to go through with killing Duncan. I think
when he killed Duncan he felt more power and therefore felt as if he
could get away with killing someone else. I think he felt extreme
capability, and this made him become more ruthless throughout the
play.
The time in which the play was set, also adds to Macbeths downfall, as
it was not unusual to kill someone of a higher status, as at this
time, many men and women craved power and respect.
Shakespeare created a character in Macbeth who is strongly influenced in his decision making throughout the drama of The Tragedy of Macbeth. This drama is a Tragedy, hence the title, and has a hero, in Macbeth, who has a downfall. Readers become aware of the aspects that lead up to this predicament. Macbeth’s downfall was contributed equally from Lady Macbeth, the three weird sisters, and Macbeth’s ambition.
The three witches told Macbeth of his fate. Did the events in Macbeth?s life occur because of the witches? prophesy or was it because of the choices he made? Could there possibly be some of both? What caused Macbeth to fall? Was it his fate or his free will?
The play MACBETH is filled with suffering. It begins with reports of a bloody battle, an execution of a traitor and Macbeth’s bloodthirsty heroism as he “unseamed” one of the invaders “from the nave of the chaps”. In comparison MacBeth’s later actions are even worse as he commits violent crimes against his own people. Much of the suffering in the play is directly attributable to Macbeth. However, the central focus of the play is the suffering he himself undergoes, as he makes his way through his course of evil.
Macbeth, the play was one of Shakespeare's bloody and goriest tragedies. It was based on a true story of the Celtic throne. It is a play about murder, power, ambition, greed and deception.
Many people make decisions or perform certain actions throughout their lives striving to produce a specific outcome or control their fate. Sometimes this outcome is not achieved. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, an ambitious soldier commits horrible deeds in order to rise through the ranks and establish his kingship, which turns into a tyranny. Throughout the play, almost all of the choices Macbeth made were to help him reach the specific outcome he wanted for his life. Through the decisions Macbeth makes to try and change his fate, Shakespeare is able to portray the message that free will does not truly exist, rather every choice made in life leads to a predestined end.
Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most powerful and emotionally intense plays. Macbeth, once known for his courage and bravery is transformed into a ruthless tyrant. His wife, Lady Macbeth, once known for her strength and great ambition is soon engulfed by guilt and sensitivity greatly weakens her. As the tragic hero Macbeth is overcome by tensions in his criminal act and the reactions by his conscience (Nix).
There is a Hungarian proverb "When ambition ends, happiness begins." In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, we can derive a corollary for this, "when ambition starts, happiness ends." The play starts with Macbeth as being a loyal subject in King Duncan's army. During the beginning act, after his return from battle, Macbeth encounters three witches giving him a prophecy that he will soon be King of Scotland (a title held by King Duncan). Macbeth conveys this prophecy to his wife, Lady Macbeth in a letter. When he arrives home, the two conspire ways of killing King Duncan to overtake the throne. On the night of the planned murder, Macbeth starts having doubts and questions whether he should kill the king. However Lady Macbeth persuades him to carry out this sinister plan. Shortly after, Macbeth stabs Duncan to death. This marks the beginning of a series of murders that are initiated by Macbeth in order to keep his title of King. This includes killing his friends and their families. As time goes by, Lady Macbeth is consumed by guilt and eventually that leads to her suicide. Macbeth who is absorbed in his own life shows no signs of grief at his loss. At the same time, a messenger brings Macbeth news that woods are ?moving?. Macbeth becomes highly concerned because one of the prophecies given to him is ?Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/Shall come against him.? (IV, i, 96-98). Macbeth travels to Birnam wood and there he is confronted with Macduff, a loyal soldier to King Duncan and his son Malcolm. Macduff takes revenge on Macbeth?s maddening ways and kills Macbeth at the end. Throughout the story, one can see Macbeth?s character change for the worse. From being a loyal and compassion...
best, it is seen that he is very hesitant of his action, but what over
MacBeth is Responsible for His Downfall. There were many wrongs committed in "MacBeth." But who should bear the major responsibility for these actions? The witches prophesying the truth? Lady MacBeth's scheming and persuasion?
Banquo no longer trusts his once brave friend and must be vigilant in his presence.
This is my account of Macbeth’s downfall from a popular, successful soldier, quote “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won”, who has received great honours for his loyalty, his courage, his bravery and his nobility. At the end of the play the only respect he has is because of the fear that his subjects have of him.
Placing the Blame in Macbeth & nbsp; The blame for the tragedy of Macbeth must be apportioned between the three witches, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself. & nbsp; The three witches play a very important role in affecting the actions of Macbeth with their ability to steer him in the direction they desire. They not only use their supernatural powers, but also prey on his greed and ambition. & nbsp; All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth!
Factors Contributing to Macbeth's Downfall in William Shakespeare's Macbeth In William Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth, there are many reasons for Macbeth's gradual downfall. Numerous factors contributed to Macbeth's ruin, such as his own character flaws and his demanding wife, Lady Macbeth. The Three Witches, however, caused Macbeth the most trouble. First, the sisters stirred up his dormant ambitions to be king.
and scheme to go and meet him. This shows that it is important for the
him by pointing out how easy it would be " When Duncan is asleep-"5. Macbeth