Write an Essay Tracing the Sequence of Events that Contribute to Macbeth's Demise and Tragic End.
Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. Macbeth's character evolves from a noble war hero to a violent individual, who will willingly kill in order to gain power. There are three main points that contribute to Macbeth's demise; firstly the prophecies, which are told to him by the witches, secondly how Lady Macbeth influences him, and finally how Macbeth's ambition drives his desire for power. Macbeth is a tragic hero in that he is initially portrayed as a hero, though he has a fatal flaw, ambition. Several events, in a chain reaction, lead to his demise. Macbeth is recognised as a tragic hero as he compromises his honour and negates moral responsibility in order to attain power and the position of King. The fatal flaw in Macbeth's character can be identified at several points in the play through certain characteristics of Macbeth including greed, arrogance, superstition and paranoia which all lead to his tragic death. The reason that many of the characters die is that they have a flaw, which leads them to their downfall. However, not every character deserves this fate. For example, Duncan's flaw is that he is too trusting, though he does not deserve to be killed for this.
The meeting of the witches and Macbeth on the battlefield demonstrates the power the witches have; they can either predict the future, or they can make it. This meeting can arguably be seen as the first link in the chain reaction that eventually leads to Macbeth's death. Macbeth is initially confused when he hears that not only will he become Thane of Cawdor, he will also be the future King. Banquo is told "thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.". Both men are eager to discover more about their future as they question the witches about the prophecies made. As Macbeth hears this prediction, he believes that he must kill Macduff. However Macduff flees to England, so Macbeth has his family killed. Macbeth's fear is starting to consume him. He can no longer sleep and is ravaged by guilt over what he has done. Fear and guilt are also consuming Lady Macbeth; she is slowing losing her sanity as a result of her not being able to handle what has happened to Duncan: Duncan but as the play goes on she becomes weaker as Macbeth becomes stronger. "Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two. Why/ then 'tis time to do't./ Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier/ and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?" When Macbeth actually meets with King Duncan, Duncan once again shows his respect for Macbeth, though Macbeth's reaction to Malcolm being successor is very negative: Towards the end of the play, Macbeth wishes for a normal life for which he would have lived to an honourable age but he recognises that he has denied himself this. When Macbeth discovers that the prophecy of Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane has come true, he fights on as he has faith that he cannot be killed by anyone woman born. When Macbeth hears that Macduff was "Untimely ripped" from his mother's womb he realises what that he shouldn't have put faith into the witches' predictions. By this time it is too late to change anything so he fights on, only to be killed by Macduff. However, Macbeth has a "vaulting ambition" that gradually masks his moral responsibility, with the help of his persuasive wife, Lady Macbeth. Our first introduction to Lady Macbeth shows the difference in character between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Initially Lady Macbeth is the one who has all the big future plans, whereas Macbeth seems to follow these ideas, not add to them. Lady Macbeth therefore has a very strong influence on Macbeth as he decides to go ahead with the plan to murder Duncan. She exerts a lot of power over Macbeth and even calls him a "coward" which shows just how determined she is and how much ambition she has. After persuading Macbeth to kill Duncan she thinks of performing the act herself but shows a sign of hu
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Approximate Word count = 1843
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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