Character or fate. Which of these two forces (external or internal)
led to the downward fall of a great military hero and worthy Thane,
Macbeth, turned evil and murderous when led astray by the prophecies of
three old witches. Some people argue that Macbeth is the victim of
fate, while others argue that his character decides his downfall. The
argument for fate is strongly led by the actions of others, with Lady
Macbeth being the prime influence on Macbeth. While the opposition is
led by Macbeth^s troubled conscience, his own internal conflict and his
hamartia. It is clearly visible that Macbeth^s own character is at
fault for his tragic downfall. It is the opinion of many, that Macbeth
is a victim of fate. These critics state that Macbeth is heavily
influenced by his overpowering wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth decides that
he cannot kill Duncan as he is his "kinsman, and his subject"(Act
1,Scene 7: 13) yet Lady Macbeth taunts him saying:
"I have given suck, and know
How tender ^ÃÂtis to love the babe that milks me :
I would, while it was smiling in my face
Have pluck^ÃÂd my nipple from his bone less gums,
And dash^ÃÂd the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this" (Act 1, Scene 7: 54-59)
This graphic view of the extent to which Lady Macbeth would go to keep
a promise would have been more accepted in our society than in that of
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
Macbeth Consulting the Vision of the Armed Head. B...
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...Shakespeare. In the days of Shakespeare, women had no business
arguing with their husbands and even less often was their argument or
threat taken into consideration. Men were the "be-all" and "end-all"
and this speech made by Lady Macbeth would have been of little
persuasion. The Macbeth of Shakespeare was a...