The Downfall of Macbeth

A detailed Summary of The Downfall of Macbeth

The tragic downfall of Macbeth was not determined by one single cause. It was rather caused by a combination of three dark forces: supernatural, external, and internal. Supernatural forces are represented by the three witches and dark powers behind them. Lady Macbeth is an outer force that pushes Macbeth towards the bloody deeds. Macbeth's own ambition acts as deciding power in brining him to his downfall.

The very beginning of the play indicates that dark supernatural forces will be involved. Three weird sisters are preparing a surprise for Macbeth, a surprise that will eventually cost him his life and the salvation of his soul. Witches' predictions play very important role in leading Macbeth to the evil deeds. Witches are the first to unleash Macbeth's "black and deep desires" by promising him the Crown in the near future. They trick Macbeth making him to believe that he was fated to be king by promising him the title of thane of Cawdor and fulfilling this promise. After this almost impossible prediction becomes true Macbeth decides that he should become king as well. His royal dreams and ambition begin to take over his good side. He is convinced that "Two truths were told/As happy prologues to the

"I would, while it [baby] was smiling in my face,

To-morrow, as he purposes.

As you have done to this."

After the witches awaken Macbeth's desires of becoming king, his wife begins to push Macbeth towards the real act of murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth thinks she knows exactly what Macbeth wants (becoming a king) and decides that she has to force her husband to do what he would never do without her support; to kill Duncan. She never really tries to gain much for herself and never mentions that she wants to be queen however, this is exactly what she wants and is showing us that her greed and manipulation characteristics can overpower Macbeth. She wants Macbeth to be king; she wants glory for him, not for herself. Lady Macbeth acts like a mother who forces her silly child to do the homework he doesn't want to do because she wants him to be successful in his life. She never questions the necessity of Macbeth becoming king and never pays attention to Macbeth's thoughts and opinion, just as mother would never care about her son's opinion about the 'stupid' homework. Macbeth's decision to "proceed no further in this business" (I.vii) was not even considered as a possible outcome by her. Lady Macbeth uses all the methods she can to convince her husband to murder Duncan. She uses Macbeth's love to her as an instrument saying that if he will not kill the king he really doesn't love her. She asks him if he is a man, tells him that he will be "so much more a man" after murdering Duncan. She gives Macbeth an example of how resolute and cruel he should be telling him that she--woman who is supposed to be kind and compassionate--would be able to kill her own child:

Witches and Lady Macbeth definitely tried to force Macbeth to kill Duncan and to continue the sequence of terrible murders. However, Macbeth was not a weak-willed puppet that others co

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Approximate Word count = 1270
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English