Is Macbeth Responsible For His Own Downfall

A tragic hero is characterized as someone who brings upon their own demise. However, it doesn't specify what that character does to others. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is a warrior who is well liked by all, however he brings not only his own downfall but also the downfall of his friend, his wife, and the general public of Scotland, before ultimately meeting his own fated end. In trying to fulfill his destiny, Macbeth finds himself accompanied by Banquo, who tells him not to trust the witches blindly, "The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles , to betray's In deepest consequence"(Act 1. Scene 3. Line 135.). Despite what the witches say about how Banquo's children will be kings he is still hesitant

He, with help, ends up taking the throne from Duncan, by murdering him, which fulfills his supposed prophecy. Banquo was a friend to Macbeth and wanted him to be successful and have a chance at the throne. However, in fulfilling his prophecy of becoming king Banquo suspects that Macbeth was the one to kill Duncan. Macbeth knows this, and worried that either the sons of Banquo will overthrow him or Banquo will turn on him, Macbeth sends for guards to kill Banquo and his son. "O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge-- O slave!"(Act 3. Scene 3. Line 25.). This line was written to portray that Banquo knew who the murder was, however the Audience is left to wonder who it is, it is never disclosed. In one popular conspiracy, Macbeth is said to have been one of the murders which also shows his growth towards tragedy. While Macbeth had known Banquo for a long time, his death is not mentioned again until much later in the play when Macbeth acknowledges his regret in the killing of many of the people he most cared about. However it is

The personality of Lady Macbeth is very untraditional for the time period. She takes on more of a masculine and dominant role in their relationship. Before Macbeth becomes king, he is an almost timid and easily provoked man. Lady Macbeth takes this as an opportunity to manipulate him into making power moves, which she was secretly behind them all. She knew he had a vision for murder but not a hand for it, so when the time came down to it she fell back into her manipulative standpoint, "You do unbend…The sleepy grooms with blood"(Act 2. Scene 2. Line 59-64.). Lady Macbeth knows the murder did not go as planned, yet she assumes the dominant role in taking care of the business they started. Macbeth during this time is uneasy and his thoughts of regret become apparent. At this point in the play, the audience still sees Macbeth as a hero who trusts the witches and wants to rise into power. Lady Macbeth cannot be blamed for Macbeth's actions, due to the reason that Macbeth had the idea of murder in his mind when the witches had not brought it up. But, through his inner conflict of morality, the Macbeth that comes out of it is not the same Macbeth in the beginning of the play. Instead of having to face these moral arguments, he inevitably is not scared to hear people crying anymore, "I have almost forgot the taste of fears"(Act