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Recommended: Macbeth's destiny is not governed solely by fate

In Shakespearean tragedy, the main character has a tragic flaw that causes him to bring his downfall upon himself. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his unquenchable desire for power; he understands his actions are evil yet proceeds with them regardless-- this is what ultimately leads to his downfall.
Macbeth’s strong desire for power is evident early on in the play and the lengths he goes to to attain his power are extreme. Upon hearing the prophecy the three witches give Macbeth, he is named Thane of Cawdor then immediately thinks of becoming King of Scotland. He hesitates between allowing fate to take its course or taking action to ensure the prophecy comes true, and decides that “If chance will have [him] king, why, chance may/ crown [him]/ Without [his] stir” (1.3.157-59). Macbeth generates a conscious decision to let fate take its course, but then changes his mind. Soon after, Duncan names his eldest son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth thinks to himself “That is a step/ On which [he] must fall down or else o’erleap” (1.4.55-57). Macbeth now comes to a realization that Malcolm is in his way and he must take murdering him in to consideration to ensure his place as king, these thoughts completely contradict the decision he recently made. His murderous thoughts make him feel extremely guilty, resulting in him saying:
Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (1.4.57-58).
He asks that the stars or heavens not shine light and expose his dark desires to the world; Macbeth wants to close his eyes while committing the horrible deed he has in mind and open them wh...

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... he desires, which is power. Macbeth begins to lose hope soon after he knows Malcolm is coming to take back his rightful place as king. After hearing of his wife’s death, Macbeth voices his belief that life “is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/ signifying nothing” (5.5.29-31). He suggests that life is nothing but emotions and noises that do not mean anything to him. Upon Lady Macbeth’s suicide and the knowledge that his castle will soon be under attack, drive him to conclude that his own life has absolutely no meaning-- he is feeling hopeless. His last shred of hope dwells in the illusions and prophecies given to him by the witches; since their past auguries have come true, he not only has no doubt in them, but overconfidence in himself.

Work Cited
William, Shakespeare. Macbeth. New York, New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Print.

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