The Real Cause of Macbeth's Downfall
By: Nick Bagheri
As Macbeth’s wife, she plays a major role in his rise and fall from power over Scotland. She could be considered Macbeth's other half because of how much she has an influence on him she uses her tactical position to gain wealth and power while taking very little risk. She takes action whenever she gets an opportunity and does it in a sneaky way through manipulating Macbeth. Macbeth is only partially responsible for his own downfall and that his wife should take the majority of the blame. When Macbeth tells her about the witch’s promises, Lady Macbeth gets attached to these ideas. (When news came in that the king will be having dinner at their home she realizes that it is a perfect opportunity to kill the king
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(1.5.65). She says this to him to support her husband by using her strengths to make up for his weakness. Although Macbeth committed the murder it is actually his wife who the one is making the decisions. She tells him “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures. She steps in to finish what needs to be done where Macbeth shows weakness as it is clear Macbeth needs support since he is hesitant in all of this. Lady Macbeth’s main role in all of this was too make up for her husband’s short comings. Macbeth’s guilt impairs his judgment about reality and at the banquet and he seems very sure he sees the ghost of his former companion. Macbeth’s mental state is withering and Lady Macbeth steps in to make up for her husband’s weakness. She tells her guests “my lord is often thus/ And hath been from his youth/ pray you, keep seat/ The fit is momentary (3.4.52-54). If Macbeth kept rambling he could have exposed their deed but Lady Macbeth calms the situation down and tries suppressing