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How Does Ambition Lead To Macbeth's Downfall

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Most people don’t want to admit to failure or defeat because it’s an unexpected occurrence and embarrassing. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare Macbeth kills king Duncan to become king and anyone who will get in the way of him staying as such. Which led to his downfall because of his ambition. Macbeth's power over Scotland failed because of his ambition to be king, his determination to stay as such, and being easily persuaded.

First, ambition led to Macbeth's downfall because he had so much that it led to irrational and severe actions. This includes wanting help from witches multiple times and killing MacDuff's family. When macbeth avows “The castle of MAcduff I will surprise, Seize upon fife give to th’edge o’th’ sword” Macbeth planned to kill Macduff's family and everyone in his castle (Shakespeare 131.4.1).. When Macbeth says this it shows his ambition …show more content…

Throughout the play he started killing more and more which then led to his downfall. When Macbeth exclaims “Duncan for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell” Macbeth's signal from lady Macbeth to kill king Duncan (Shakespeare 53.2.1). When Macbeth uses the rhyming words knell and hell it represents the witches influence throughout the play. In which Macbeth has the determination to lead to his demise.

Third, persuasion led to his downfall because of him being easily convinced. He was also tricked by the witches by them telling half truths with the prophecies , which led to his demise. Also he was easily persuaded by lady Macbeth to kill king Duncan which led to Scotland turning into turmoil. When Macbeth announces “I dare do all that may become a man who dares do more is none” Macbeth stating he dares anyone to get in his way because he knows he will become all powerful (Shakespeare 41.1.7). This leads him to going back to the witches to be deceived so that his power over Scotland comes to an

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