Who Was The Most Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

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Downfall of Macbeth

The tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, outlines the unfortunate sides to human nature. There are multiple aspects that lead to a person's downfall. These aspects mainly stem from the simple need for power and self worth and the extent to which people are willing to go to achieve it. Every human has a part of them that wants to be the best at life and it can often be difficult to accept anything less than the highest standard. Unfortunately, this can lead one down a path of devastation and destruction. This case was true for Macbeth. In the novel, the three witches and lady Macbeth both play a key role in Macbeth’s downfall, but ultimately Macbeth is to be held most responsible for his own tragedy. The
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Following the prophecy stating that Macbeth will be king one day, Macbeth says, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, / Shakes so my single state of man. / That function is smother'd in surmise, / and nothing is but what is not.” (1.3.52-55) Prior to hearing any thoughts from the witches or his wife, Macbeth immediately makes his own conclusion that he must kill in order to be king. His ambitious mind is already filled with the evil plots that will lead him down a path of regret and defeat. It was Macbeth making his own decisions rather than the people around him. Later in the story, Macbeth must confront his own actions sayings, “stars, hide your fires; / let not light see my black and deep desires.” (1.4.57-58) Macbeth is fully aware of his evil deeds and knows that what he is doing is wrong. He made his own decisions that led him down a dark path with knowledge that it was not the right thing to do. The Bible gives examples to demonstrate the deep consequences that will occur when one choses to take the wrong path. Genesis 4:7 states, “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Macbeth always desires to have rule, but when he puts this item above all else, he becomes a slave to sin and no longer has control. He sends himself into a spiral of unfortunate events that ultimately result in his own death. Rather ruling over his