In Macbeth the main character climbs to his greatness, and then goes on to fall down a guilt spiral and leads to his breakdown. Macbeth is directed up the hill of strength, then his fierce desire leads him to death. The process of a tragedy is slow to let the audience become cozy with the power and happiness of Macbeth. Macbeth goes over the extreme and becomes wildly power-hungry. The witches are a good example because since they choose his fate.
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...
Macbeth and Banquo with the Witches by Henry Fusel...In the beginning of the story a battle goes on between King Duncan and Macdonwald. Macbeth fought fearlessly on King Duncan's side and eventually killed Macdonwald. King Duncan hears of Macbeth's brave and noble qualities and crowns him the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is bitter to except the rank of Thane of Cawdor because earlier the three witches told that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor.
Now that Macbeth is a higher-ranking authority he starts to have his desires act up on him and want more power. Lady Macbeth comes up with King Duncan's murder, which makes Macbeth gain even more desires and empowers Macbeth to rise up to the ultimate height. The murder is carried out but not as they had planned and Macbeth is forced to kill King Duncan himself. Macbeths greediness for power and the witches prophesies have made Macbeth a very confused man.
Believing everything that the witches had said, Macbeth decides to hire three murders to kill Banquo and his son. By having them killed no one would be in the line to take the throne away from him. He hears then that Macduff is considering ways to seek revenge so that Macbeths plan of death for Macduff's family. This shows that Macbeth realizes that everybody is...