The blame of a downfall does not lie on just one person, but their outside sources and motives as well. In order to have a downfall, one must be ranked or admired highly. Often the traits that were once loved become the traits working against oneself. But the fault cannot be put entirely on one, but also those around them. When seeking for advice it may not be in best interest, may be for personal gain or malicious intent. Even if the advice is given by a trusted one, the gut feeling before a decision should not always be ignored. It is important to know what one is truly capable of, without leaving their morality behind. The consequences from this can be seen through the analysis of William Shakesperes play, The Tragedy of Macbeth. The fault …show more content…
Firstly, Macbeth's ambition is what led him to success, but it is also what pushes him over the edge. This ambition also makes him seem suitable for Thane of Cawdor, as well receiving positive recognition from the king. That same ambition makes him constantly want more, and become eager for control. His desires overtook his morals, . While committing crimes, Macbeth's thoughts are full about what he will gain from these acts, becoming king and staying as king, before realizing what he is doing, ending lives. He is aware of what he does wrong and that he should not do it, but the chances of him becoming king seem too good for him to give up. Macbeth understands that it is his job to be loyal to Duncan and that what he plans on doing to him is not natural. “I have no spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself/And falls on th’other” (I.vii.25-29). Macbeth does not want to kill King Duncan purely for the sake of killing him, but what will come with his death, power. Rather than waiting for the prophecies to come true, Macbeth attempts to take matters into his own hands. King Duncan has only done Macbeth …show more content…
Although Macbeth's actions may be influenced by others, they are ultimately pursued by himself. He lacks self control over his ambition which is responsible for causing a spiral to his downfall. The witches fuel his delusions, his ambition and greed growing. Sparking desires to purposely mislead him to failure for their own satisfaction. Lastly, Lady Macbeth's manipulation and control over Macbeths mind led by her own ambition, greed and need for power are what encourages Macbeth's cruel acts. Ultimately, Macbeth was the one who entrusted the witches and Lady Macbeth, when this could have been avoided had he not been so ambitious. Macbeth represents the importance of self-control and trust, whether it be resisting the influence of others or one's own thoughts, there is an element of humility which is important in making a decision. Macbeth's problems may be extreme but the chain effect of his unchecked behaviour displays a common lesson often missed in
As the play continues, Macbeth's desire for the throne amplifies, ultimately leading him to murder the king and manipulate those around him to secure his maintained his crown. The prophecy becomes self-fulfilling as Macbeth's ambition drives him to carry out terrible acts, which in turn causes his descent into tyranny and, eventually, his tragic downfall. Through this clever foreshadowing, Shakespeare illustrates the corrupting nature of ambition and
Macbeth's unrelenting desire for power leads him to commit evil acts, including murder. The story states, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other." (Macbeth, Shakespear) This quote highlights how Macbeth's ambition is the driving force behind his actions. He becomes so consumed with the desire for power that he is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
His greed leads him to commit sins such as murdering the well-liked King. All in all, Macbeth’s ambitious actions drive him to destruction through his
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself…” (1.7.25-27) During the first act, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth come up with a plan to kill King Duncan, so Macbeth can become the king. But there are some obstacles that Macbeth has to face before becoming king. And Macbeth admits that he has ambition taking him over and that it is making him “power hungry” or just wanting to become powerful.
Untae Langis points out that as the play opens, “Macbeth reveals himself caught between rational and appetitive will, virtue, and self-esteem… When Lady Macbeth chides him for having cold feet… Macbeth’s cowardice foretells the yielding of his desires for good to the desire for worldly power”. This desire for power is valued because Macbeth has innate nobility, and he has honorable character at the beginning of the play. One of his many tragic flaws includes ambition, which leads to his downfall at the end of the
Macbeth believes that his personal effort being king is his fate. In reality, it is his ambition that drives him to this point since he ends up losing control while trying to achieve his success of being king. Macbeth continues to portray relentless and uncontrollable behaviors through his efforts to maintain his reputation as king. The ambition that remains in Macbeth throughout the story does not abandon him but controls him and his
The question of if humans are truly responsible for their own actions has sparked a debate in humanity throughout history. In the non-fiction article, “Freewill and Determinism” written by Saul McLeod, he compares the different aspects of freewill and determinism. Throughout the article, McLeod explains how freewill and determinism, while very different, go hand in hand with each other. To go with that, in the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, many of the explanations in the article as to why people do what they do can be helpful when trying to figure out Macbeth's poor decision making. To begin the story, Macbeth was a trustworthy and loyal warrior for King Duncan.
Despite this, it is important to acknowledge that he has complete control over his actions in response to these two external factors. The witches predict that Macbeth will become King of Scotland, but they do not force him into acting towards their sayings. In fact Macbeth goes out of his way to contact the witches again to ask for more information. Similarly, Lady Macbeth pushes for murder but does not force him into following through with her desires. She herself even had second thoughts and did not go through with the murder.
Often times, people go through rises and downfalls in their lives that they themselves are responsible for. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, both main characters, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, himself, are responsible for the downfall of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is responsible for the tragedy because she convinces and manipulates Macbeth into doing the deed. However, Shakespeare accomplishes in showing that Macbeth is more responsible for his own downfall than Lady Macbeth because he listens to the witches and follows his ambition rather than his conscience. To begin, Lady Macbeth is responsible for the tragedy because she convinces and manipulates Macbeth into doing the deed by insulting him when he changes his mind.
Macbeth shows that he is willing to kill King Duncan because he is interested in the witches prophecy, after they tell him that he will become ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and then the King.
Macbeth’s ambition is what is causing him to intervene with his prophecy and pursue his goal (rather than leave it to chance). In a way, it is Macbeth’s own “black and deep desires” that make him kill in the first place as the witches never tell him to do so. Furthermore, apart from ambition, it is Macbeth’s own weak will and moral system that causes him to do the actions that result in his downfall. Macbeth’s weak will is undeniable and is illustrated before killing Duncan. “I have of spur/To prick the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself/And falls on the other” (I, VII, 25-28).
He admits that his “vaulting ambition” is causing him to consider such a heinous act, stating “I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other” (1.7.25-28). This quote shows that Macbeth’s desire for power and status is the driving force behind his decision to commit murder. And that he has been contemplating it for a long time trying to decide that if killing Duncan is really the ultimate path to follow in order to truly become king because he is taking an immoral and heinous path to achieve the right to be named
Macbeth started off as a valiant and courageous soldier, who would do anything for the king. By the end of the play, Macbeth was a tyrant and a horrible leader who killed those who trusted him to maintain the throne. It takes many factors to take a strong man and transform him into an evil monster. Macbeth’s downfall was caused by the deception and temptation of the witches and their prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s greed and aspirations for her husband to be king, and Macbeth’s own greed, jealousy and ambition.
At the beginning of the play “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare the character Macbeth went from being a brave, and loyal soldier to a heartless and power wanting tyrant who assassinated King Duncan with the help of his forceful wife Lady Macbeth. At the beginning of the play the Weird Sisters gave Macbeth three prophecies; that he would the Thane of Glamis, that he would be Thane of Cawdor, and that he would be King over all. After Macbeth kills King Duncan and everyone catches word that their King is dead people start to wonder about who would do such a thing. Soon after Duncan’s death, his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to leave Macbeth’s castle as a precaution against their own death, Malcolm ended up fleeing to England and Donalbain ended up fleeing to Ireland. Once Macbeth is crowned King he seizes his power through being violent and committing murder, his life completely darkened with the crime he has committed.
At the beginning of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the protagonist Macbeth is described as ‘brave’, ‘noble’ and ‘honourable’, however Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeths desire for power consumes them. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his conscience and transformed his greatest strength into his greatest weakness. Macbeth’s inability to resist temptations that led him to be greedy for power, Macbeth’s easily manipulative nature which allowed his mind to be swayed, Macbeth having no self control and his excessive pride was what allowed him to renew his previously honourable and celebrated title into one of an evil ‘tyrant’. Macbeth is led by the prophecies of the witches after they foretell he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Not only the witches, but also his wife easily manipulate Macbeth as she attacks his manhood in order to provoke him to act on his desires.