Macbeth’s downfall can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, his over-ambition led him to commit murder in order to fulfill his own selfish desires. Secondly, Macbeth was heavily influenced by the witches’ prophecies, which planted seeds of doubt and insecurity in his mind. Lastly, Macbeth’s actions caused Banquo, a close friend and confidante, to be murdered, further isolating him from those who could have helped him. In the end, Macbeth’s ambition, paranoia, and isolation led to his downfall.
The downfall of Macbeth was the result of a variety of factors, not just one. It was caused by a mix of three sinister energies: supernatural, external, and internal forces. The three witches are an example of supernatural powers. Lady Macbeth is an external force that pushes Macbeth to commit atrocities. In bringing him to ruin, his own ambition serves as the deciding factor.
The play’s very opening suggests that dark supernatural influences will be active. Three strange sisters are preparing a surprise for Macbeth, which will ultimately cost him his life and save his soul. The predictions of witches have a significant impact in propelling Macbeth toward villainy deeds. By promising him the crown in the near future, witches are the first to unleash Macbeth’s “black and deep desires.”
They deceive Macbeth into believing he was destined to be king by offering him the title of thane of Cawdor and then keeping their promise. When the nearly impossible prediction comes true, Macbeth decides that he, too, should rule. His royal ambitions and desire for power begin to overwhelm his noble side.
He believes that the following are two “truisms” that were told as “filler prologues to the swelling act/Of the imperial theme,” and that they end happily. The evil powers, “winning him with honest trifles to betray in deepest consequence,” persuade him to kill Duncan. They not only persuade Macbeth to consider murdering Duncan; they also lead him to conclude that Banquo’s children will be kings by stating that Banquo’s children would be kings.
Throughout the play, dark supernatural forces deceive Macbeth. In Act IV, the phantoms deceive him into continuing to walk down the bloody road by telling him to be “bloody, bold, and resolute” and that he should “have no fear.” These predictions provide Macbeth hope for more murders so that he has none left for retaining any values or opportunity for remedy.
After the witches inspire Macbeth’s ambition to become king, his wife begins pushing him towards the actual act of murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth believes she understands exactly what her husband wants to be a king, and as a result, she decides that it is essential to force him to do what he would never do on his own – murder Duncan. She has no interest in gaining much for herself or stating that she desires to be queen.
Lady Macbeth has a difficult assignment in front of her: she must persuade her husband to take up the crown. She wants Macbeth to be king; she desires glory for him, not for herself. Lady Macbeth behaves like a mother who forces her silly child to do his homework because she wants him to succeed in life. She never casts doubt on Macbeth’s right to reign and never pays attention to what he thinks or feels, much as a mother would pay no attention to what her son thinks about the ‘inane’ schoolwork.
Her decision not to “proceed any further in this line of business” (I.vii) was not even considered as an option by her. Lady Macbeth uses all available means to persuade her husband to kill Duncan, including his love for her as a tool. She tells him that if he does not murder the king, he does not truly love her. She asks him whether or not he is a man, and informs him that after murdering Duncan, he will be “so much more” one.
Lady Macbeth’s avarice and ambitions for her husband to be king, as well as Macbeth’s greed, jealousy, and ambition were all factors in his downfall. The witches had a significant impact on Macbeth’s fall and ultimate death.
Their prophecies and the temptation of power that they offered Macbeth was too great for him to resist. Lady Macbeth’s greed and aspirations were also a significant contributing factor to Macbeth’s downfall. She was determined that her husband would be king, no matter what the cost. Macbeth’s own greed, jealousy and ambition were perhaps the most important factors in his downfall. He was consumed by his desire for power and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. In the end, it was his own greed, jealousy and ambition that led to his downfall and ultimately his death.
Macbeth’s fall can be attributed to his thirst for power, Lady Macbeth’s sway over him, and his own insecurities and concerns. Blind ambition, corruption, with Lady Macbeth’s support and Macbeth’s personal doubts all contribute to his ruin.
Macbeth’s ambition is what drives him to murder Duncan and Banquo. He believes that if he can kill them, then he will be able to achieve his goal of becoming king. Macbeth’s ambitions are so strong that they blinded him to the reality of the situation and the potential consequences of his actions.
Lady Macbeth also plays a role in Macbeth’s downfall. She is the one who convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan, even though Macbeth is hesitant about going through with it. Lady Macbeth’s influence leads Macbeth down a path of destruction and death.
Finally, Macbeth’s own insecurities and misgivings contribute to his downfall. Macbeth is plagued by doubt and fear throughout the play. He is afraid of being caught and punished for his crimes. These doubts and fears eventually lead to Macbeth’s downfall as he is unable to cope with the guilt and anxiety that come with being a murderer.
The three key elements that led to Macbeth’s downfall included the witches’ prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s power and persuasion, and lastly, Macbeth’s own selfish desire.
The witches’ prophecies Macbeth that he will be “thane of Cawdor” and eventually “king” are what start Macbeth’s downfall. When Banquo expresses his suspicions about the witches to Macbeth, Macbeth immediately becomes paranoid that Banquo will discover his plans to kill Duncan and take the throne for himself. Macbeth’s insecurity leads him to hire assassins to murder Banquo and his son, which in turn causes Macduff’s family to be killed. These actions cause Macbeth to lose the loyalty of many of his supporters, leading to his eventual downfall.