Macbeths Downfall

Macbeths Downfall In the beginning of the play Macbeth, Macbeth is a successful and noble Thane of Glamis. The witches tell Macbeth prophecies that guide him to his downfall, but in the end it was his own selfish decisions that caused his demise. The other person that is blamed for Macbeth’s destruction was his wife Lady Macbeth because she was able to manipulate and control his self-esteem by playing with his courage and bravery. However, Macbeth was only guided by his wife; he chose to play out his own outcome. Overall, Macbeth’s own ambitions, greed and self control were the main problems that caused his downfall. In the play these factors have some influence on Macbeth; however he is still responsible for his own destiny. The influences of the witches prophecies, and Lady Macbeths desires play a small part towards Macbeth’s demise; it is Macbeth’s selfish ambitions that are the main reasons which lead to his downfall and destruction. In the play Macbeth, the three witches prophesized to Macbeth future events that lead him to make destructive decisions causing his downfall. The three witches reveal to Macbeth that they foresee him becoming Thane of Cawdor and then becoming King of Scotland. The second witch says to Macbeth “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee Thane of Cawdor” (1, III, 49). The third witch then says “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king here after!” (1, III, 50). Macbeth has a hard time believing that he will receive these titles that the witches foresee. However once Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor he starts wondering about other predictions that the witches revealed to him and Banquo. The witches’ prophecy leads Macbeth to decide his own outcome that causes his downfall. The witches disclose to Macbeth prophecies that come true which leads him to think about killing the king, but Macbeth decides for himself whether or not he will kill him. Macbeth then says to himself “Two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act of the

Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Printed in the United States: Bantam Books. 1980.