Lady Macbeth by William Shakespeare

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Recommended: Lady Macbeth leads to Macbeth's downfall

Shakespeare tragic hero; Macbeth is undoubtedly conveyed as one of literatures greatest fallen heroes. Initially presented as an admirable hero, he self destructs from external and internal forces. The witches ignited Macbeth’s ambition and temptations prove too strong for the one admired war hero, whilst Lady Macbeth prays up on his exceptional being of vaulting ambition. Throughout the essay, the factors influence Macbeth’s downfall will be explored. The witches participate significantly in the ruin of the vulnerable hero, Macbeth. Macbeth indeed was a noble warrior and has been recognize by the king as his “valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” The word ‘valiant cousin’ is the metaphor uses by Duncan as he reveals his appreciation of Macbeth in his braveness to defeat Norway in war that he accepts Macbeth as his cousin and awarded Macbeth a new title ‘Thane of Cawdor’. Although, not far too long after Macbeth’s heroic quality is recognized, his tragic ruin begins as he encounters the witches for the first time. The witches ignites Macbeth’s ambition through their riddle prophecy: “All hail Macbeth that shalt be King”. Shakespeare alludes to the New Testament in Mathew 26.49 when Judas prepares to betray Jesus and Roman soldiers. His plan is to identify Jesus by greeting him with a kiss so that the soldiers will know which man to arrest. Judas approaches Jesus, saying, "Hail Master." The Witches greet Macbeth in a similar fashion, and, as Judas betrayed Jesus, so do the Witches betray Macbeth. Furthermore, after the witches finished with their prophecies, Macbeth charged them: “Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.” Macbeth’s imperative tone reveals his desire to follow the dark side of the witches marking Macbeth’s beginning... ... middle of paper ... ...has suffered greatly for the evil acts he committed and was defined as a broken man, a fallen hero. In conclusion, the witches with their riddle prophecies ignite Macbeth’s vaulting ambition as well as undermining and tempting Macbeth into the regicide of Duncan, upsetting the natural orders of things, on top of that, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into committing ‘foul act’, belittling on his manhood and thus play an even more significant role in ruining Macbeth. But ultimately, his vaulting ambition itself indeed is to be the most to blame for his own destruction since a true hero would have upheld their sense of righteousness and honor, but Macbeth as a hero has failed. After all, Shakespeare has successfully craft Macbeth as a fallen hero, by first presenting him as an honorable hero, distracted by external forces, ends up destroying himself from the inside.

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