Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

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No matter the situation, someone has always wanted to be greater than they initially are. In Macbeth, one of the most dramatic Shakespearean tragedies to be written, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are unhappy with their position. Macbeth’s downfall is seen from the beginning of the play, through his mentality and desperate hunger for power. The final element that leads to his downfall is his constant killing. Macbeth is to blame for his own downfall; his greed, pride and ambition eventually leads him to his death.
Macbeth’s mentality allows him to believe he should be king, which easily gives way to mocking. This is the first thing that proves Macbeth is to blame for his downfall. After the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth is almost immediately named the …show more content…
At some point in one’s life, the thought of being in power runs through their mind. When Macbeth is debating whether or not to kill Duncan, he says, “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’other-/”. Macbeth demonstrates his desire to be king, as his ambition is jumping, but he feels as though his ambition will lead him to fall. After Macbeth kills Duncan and has been pronounced king, he fears the consequences of his actions. He proceeds to kill anyone he views as a threat to his position, “To be thus is nothing,/ But to be safely thus.” (Act 3 Scene 1: Lines 49-50). Macbeth doesn’t see a point in being king if he is unsafe. The greatest threat to his kingship is one word from Banquo: mentioning the prophecies to anyone. Macbeth’s ambition to stay king causes him to kill Banquo. As Macbeth hungers for power, his greed and ambition lead him to make rash decisions, all to become and stay …show more content…
After killing Duncan, Macbeth kills the two guards so that no one can be provided as a witness. After that, he also kills Banquo so that he cannot mention the prophecies given to Macbeth and himself, “Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (Act 3 Scene 1: Lines 50-51). Following the first murder, Macbeth has now become paranoid of everyone and everything that may threaten his position with even a minor error. Macbeth kills Macduff’s family to punish him. After Macbeth is told that Macduff has escaped to England, Macbeth reveals his plans for him, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/ Seize upon Fife; Give to th’edge o’th’sword/ His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line./” This reveals to us that Macbeth is determined to remain king, and if it means to kill innocent people to gain power over those who pose a threat to him, he will do it. At every corner, Macbeth’s ambition causes him to make rash decisions, which ultimately leads to his death.
At the end of the play, Macbeth’s ambition, greed and pride makes him the one to blame for his downfall. Macbeth’s mentality gives him the capacity to believe he should be king. That fate would bring it to him with no work at all, while also letting him be fooled by Lady Macbeth. Hungry for power, Macbeth is led to make foolish and impulsive decisions. To maintain
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