Macbeth's Downfall Essay

Macbeth Essay

Macbeth was written in 1606 by Shakespeare, the story was inspired by King James who believed that he had descended spiritually from the English. Shakespeare knew that King James was extremely interested in witchcraft and that he had written a book about it. The play to some extent, deliberately flatters his king. James who was descended from a famous dramatist of the time.

In this essay I will be talking about who is held responsible for Macbeth downfall after King Duncan murder.

The story of Macbeth is about ambitions, dreams and plans for the future, all of which go wrong. King Duncan is the king of Scotland and he is represented as a true and courteous king.

His elder son is the next in line and he consequently becomes the prime suspect when his father is murdered. He flees to England to get help from the English to restore the crown to its rightful owner.

Macbeth

The main character of the play is Macbeth, he is an ambitious warrior, one of the leaders of Duncans army. He is introduced as a strong hero who is fighting for his country and the king. He is rewarded by Duncan for his courage by giving him a title Thane of Cawdor it is ironic that he gains this title from a traitor and that he himself becomes one.

He started as a strong hero and ended up a weak character ruined by his sick ambition. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition He gained acclaim through his bravery in the battle and already well thought of.

Macbeth kills King Duncan so he can gain the crown. He forces fate to come true, based on information he receives from the witches prophesy. Macbeth loses love, friendship and respect. He has the knowledge of right and wrong, and recognizes that he has committed a tremendous crime by murdering the king. Shakespeare shows us how he turns into a hardened killer and that his blind ambition lures him into more killing. The guilt of he and his wife share has destroyed their love, life and sanity.

Macbeth character begins to change drastically. Evil and unnatural powers, as well as his own desire to become king, take over his better half and eventually lead to his downfall.

Macbeth is to be mostly responsible for Duncans murder because he could of have waited for his destiny to fulfil itself through natural turn of events and only thought about himself. He didnt think it through but he did hastate more times- end of Act 1 Scene 7. He was willing to listen to the witches. His speech is full of evil, threats and darkness.

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is obsessed with the news sent by her husband.

Macbeth changes his mind about killing Duncan and her influence on him is that she encouraged him to continue with the plan. She persuades him to kill Duncan, and refuses to understand his doubts and worries. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour, as thou art in desire?

His doubts of the murder got stronger and he turned to a hardened killer. After this incident he trusts no one and has no faith in the loyalty of the thanes. Macbeth slowly awakens from the nightmare he has been living in and realizes what a terrible crime he has committed, he speaks of the real sounds he has heard, and then of the voice that cried sleep no more Macbeth does murder sleep Macbeth awakens to a consciousness of guilt that will remain with him until death.

Banquo suspicion grows about the killing of Duncan. He thinks about the prophecy concerning his own children, and this gives him hope. Macbeth plots to murder Banquo so that the witches prophecy and promise to him doesnt come true to Banquo. His ghost, which only Macbeth can see, adds distress. His strange behaviour startles Lady Macbeth and their guests. Only Macbeth's own suspicions that brought him to have Banquo killed.

Macbeth revisits the witches because their prediction about Macbeth future began to come true. They promised to answer his questions. The answers that the witches gave, his confidence grows stronger and made him stronger and powerful.

Macduffs suspicions are raised. Macbeth arranges to have his son killed. The crime is dreadful because it is motiveless but Macduffs gets his revenge back.

The witches prophecy leads him to murder Duncan to become the king. They engaged him to the plan and deliberately meet with Macbeth to put the idea into his mind All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter. They didnt tell him how he is going to become king.

Macbeth met with the witches, they hailed to him as king, and perhaps he is stunned to silence by his good fortune. Their words certainly gave him food for thought. They didnt give him instructions, they only told him of the prophecy.