The main theme in Macbeth is too much power can lead to one’s downfall. This is shown by Macbeth’s belief in the witches’ prophecies, his plan to get rid of Banquo, and his confidence of winning the battle. Macbeth’s strong belief in the witches’ prophecies leads to his eventual downfall. After Macbeth wins the battle, he is gifted the title of Thane of Cawdor, which is one of the titles the witches’ predicted he would come to gain in his future. When he first hears the news he is in disbelief, but, he eventually comes to terms with the concept. When Macbeth hears the news of his new title, he realizes part of the witches’ prophecies came true: “Two truths are told // As happy prologues to the swelling act // Of the imperial theme”(Shakespeare.1.3.140-142). …show more content…
When Macbeth successes all the prophecies of the witches and is King, he invites all his noble friends to a feast, including Banquo. Banquo leaves on a short day trip to waste the time until dinner and Macbeth hatches a plan to get rid of Banquo for sure, so there is no threat to his crown. After Macbeth invites Banquo to his feast, Macbeth thinks to himself, “To be thus is nothing, // But to be safely thus… Then, prophet-like, // They hailed him father to a line of kings” (Shakespeare.3.1.52-65). Macbeth states that to be king is nothing unless he is completely safe. He is thinking this way because Banquo requested the witches to tell him his future and the witches revealed that Banquo will father a line of future kings. Macbeth fears Banquo and his future bloodline, so, he creates a plan to get rid of him, leaving no threat to his crown or power. Macbeth has become so blind by the prophecies, that he hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance, who escapes just in time. This leads to Macbeth’s downfall because he is willing to do anything for power, even if that means killing all his noble friends, leaving him under