Macbeth's Downfall

Words: 726
Pages: 3

Doesn't it feel better when we put the blame on others? If we're being honest, we do this most of the time. However, the problems we encounter, it could have the fault of more than one person. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, it shows us the downfall of Macbeth and who contributed to it. The person I believe is responsible for Macbeth's downfall is himself due to him being overly ambitious and could’ve made the right choices.

One of the reasons for Macbeth’s downfall is him being overly ambitious throughout the play. In Act 1 Scene 7 it says “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition”. This quote clearly shows that ambition drives his actions since it says “vaulting ambition”. Another quote from
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In Act 1 Scene 7 it says,” We will proceed no further in this business.” This quote shows that Macbeth had a choice not to kill but he had a choice to do so. Another quote from Act 1 Scene 3 is “ ‘Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more./ By Sinel’s death I know I am The Thane Cawdor lives”. This explains that in the scene where the witches tell Macbeth that he’s going to be king, he could have decided to not believe them instead of asking for more information about it. Lastly another quote from Act 1 Scene 7 the play is "What beast was't, then,/ That made you break this enterprise to me?/ When you durst do it then you were a man;/ And, to be more than what you were, you would/ Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place/ Did then adhere, and yet you would make both". This shows that he chose ambition over everything else in life, but after he killed the king he lost his ability to eat, sleep, and the comfort of family and friends. He could’ve avoided this if he hadn’t killed the king in the first place. In general with these pieces of evidence it shows that his poor choice in situations caused his …show more content…
Shakespeare teaches readers that with a wicked person like Macbeth, it's not really his entire fault for the downfall. Like Lady Macbeth was the cause of Macbeth’s downfall by being manipulative, evil, conniving, convincing, taunting her husband, and was also overly ambitious and greedy. Another was the witches since they were vindictive, they had supernatural powers, evil, and deceptive. With these people that we think is the cause of Macbeth’s downfall, it’s similar that we’ve been taught that we're responsible for our own actions. However with the actions and choices we make, it affects other people. It’s hard to try not to blame others who committed a crime, but we have to remind ourselves that other people play a part in what spreads. It seems like the people who are guilty are responsible for their actions, but Macbeth teaches us to dig more deep in the problem and see if there’s more in the story. In conclusion, I believe that the cause of Macbeth’s was himself due to him being overly ambitious and his poor choice in situations where he could’ve made the right