From your reading of "Macbeth" do you think he is actually responsible for the events that take place in the play?

From your reading of "Macbeth" do you think he is actually responsible for the events that take place in the play?

In my opinion, the responsibility for Macbeth's downfall and subsequent events in the play can be equally shared between Macbeth, the witches and Lady Macbeth. When Macbeth starts to believe the witches that he would be king, his mind is filled with ideas about how he can accelerate his rise to the throne. Later, Lady Macbeth's power of persuasion drives him to become the man we see at the end of the play. Lastly Macbeth's mental weakness as well as his driving ambition causes his change in character and downfall.

Fate too, has a lot to do with the downfall of Macbeth., not just Lady Macbeth corrupting him. The weird sisters use fate to convince Macbeth what he is to become in the near future. They appear to have the ability to travel in and out of time at will, which allows them to see the future and to change its path.

Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.

English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...

The sleepwalking Lady Macbeth

This ability leads to some interesting and important moments in the play. For one, the witches already seem to know the fate of Macbeth and Banquo at the beginning of the play. Their involvement in Macbeth's life is also instrumental in his downfall.

At the beginning of Act One Shakespeare introduces the character of Macbeth to the audience. He is described as a brave and strong, victorious soldier in a conversation between the captain and Duncan. This is significant because the King admires his bravery in battle, and compliments him by referring to him as:

"Oh valiant cousin, worthy gentleman".

And later the captain says:

"For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name - disdaining fortune with his brandished steel...."

This complements Macbeth on his...