Macbeth's downfall

Essay by usamabinladenHigh School, 12th gradeA+, April 2005

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In Macbeth there were a few factors that contributed to the degeneration of the Macbeth character. There were three factors that destroyed Macbeth. The main force that was predominately responsible for the downfall of Macbeth was his single flaw. Which was his own ambition. Even though his ambition brought him to his height of power, it was also what led him to his downfall. During the play Macbeth's ambition brought him to achieve his goals but as the play evolves, it forced him to face his fate. Macbeth had become so obsessed with becoming King, and remaining powerful, that he became a completely different man. His ambition led him to become greedy, violent, power hunger, and a murder. An example of his new character occurred when he killed King Duncan. After the first murder, killing seemed to be the only solution to keep his reign over the people of Scotland.

It was because of these killings and his overbearing ambition that caused him to be overthrown and kill himself. Another force was the prophecies which were told by the witches. If it had not been for the witches telling Macbeth that he was going to be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glanis, and King of Scotland, he would still be is ordinary self. After the witches shared these prophecies with Macbeth he started thinking of ways he could become king. The other influential factor that destroyed Macbeth was his wife Lady Macbeth. In the play Lady Macbeth was going to kill King Duncan, but she just could not do it. Although she then provided a scheme which caused Macbeth to kill King Duncan. After the first murder, Macbeth seemed to come to the solution that killing was the way. Therefore Lady Macbeth was the one who...