Downfall of Macbeth
Uploaded by Tunzz on Feb 28, 2007
Macbeth was a weak character, despite his noble and honourable reputation. It was this weakness that allowed him to be seduced by the witches’ prophecy; it was this very same weakness that resulted in his succumbing to his devious, determined and power hungry wife. And it was ultimately this weakness that resulted in Macbeth’s downfall. How ever, despite this flaw Macbeth was not solely to blame for his demise, the witches’ prophecy ignited Macbeth’s ambition and his wife, Lady Macbeth, was even more ambitious and more determined than her husband.
The role of the witches should not be underestimated. In fact in the opening scene Shakespeare creates a mysterious and ominous atmosphere, foreshadowing that ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’ suggesting the evil which is followed through out the play, also that nothing is as it seems to be. In act 1 scene iii the witches greet Macbeth as ‘Thane of Glamis’, ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and as ‘King of Scotland’. This prophecy leads Macbeth to genuinely think about being in control and having power. Although a modern audience would be critical about the role of the witches, Shakespearean audiences viewed them as evil, having the capability of casting terrible events. However the witches cannot force Macbeth to do anything that he does not want to do. They merely revealed the future and chose to confront Macbeth at a time when he is most vulnerable, after the battle where he is feeling very proud of his achievements. Thus, they certainly did have a role to play in Macbeth’s downfall, but if Macbeth had been more concerned with morality and ethics and less concerned about having power, control, and becoming king, he would have ignored the witches’ prophecy.
Macbeth, however, had already thought of becoming king before meeting the witches. He was highly ambitious man and a well respected soldier, described by Duncan as ‘O valiant cousin worthy gentlemen’, and was referred to as being ‘Brave’ and ‘noble’. Macbeth, in the end, was a selfish character whose ambitions only benefited himself. Throughout the play Macbeth ruthlessly pursues his own interests. He may be physically strong and courageous on the battle field but is morally weak. Macbeth has a conscience, but ultimately is not strong enough to let it guide his actions. In the famous soliloquy ‘If it were done, when ‘tis done’ (Act 1 sc vii), his reasons for not killing Duncan appear...