Macbeth's Downfall

If you’ve read a number of Shakespeare’s books, you’d know he has a thing for violence. From the suicides of Romeo and Juliet, the murders of Gertrude and Claudius, and the assassination that led to Macbeth’s downfall. In the book Macbeth by William Shakespeare, a man led by political greed kills to take what he believes is his, followed by breaking prophecies given to him by three witches. Macbeth lived the rest of his life doing his best to make prophecies come true using violence. Through this violence, it led a sane man to become insane, damaging his mind for good due to the witches’ prophecies. Before the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth was able to live his life as a normal guy who heard some things that he knew may or may not be true,

“One cried, ‘God bless us!’ and ‘Amen’ the other, as they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List'ning their fear I could not say ‘Amen,’ when they did say ‘God bless us!’” (2.2.34-37); In this part of the book, he started becoming delusional and afraid of people finding out what he has done. Not only was he going insane, he also became guilty very quickly. “I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; look on ’t again I dare not.” (2.2. 61-63). He explains about how he’s afraid about what he has done, continuing his distress in the quote, “To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst.” (2.2.87 - 88). Macbeth talks about how he would rather not think about the crime and he wishes he never had done it, saying he wishes Duncan could awake again. As shown above, it shows Macbeth before he went on a rampage, but after Lady Macbeth planted the seed to his insanity, he decided to continue watering

He came to the conclusion that he had to get rid of his partner in combat, Banquo, plotting his murder. “So is he mine; and in such bloody distance that every minute of his being thrusts against my near’st of life.” (3.1.127 - 129). Macbeth talks to two murderers to take the life of Banquo, saying that Banquo, as theirs, is his enemy too as well as him saying he hates him just as much as they do. It is demented knowing that this man, his sidekick and someone who’s been there for him, could say such things about him. Continuing on with Macbeth’s reign and violent actions, he decides he had another enemy to look out for, Macduff. “From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand. And even now, to crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: the castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” (4.1.161-168); In this quote, he talks about when he decides to do something, he will act upon it immediately. Acting upon that, he decides to kill Macduff’s wife and children and anyone who dares to stand in the way. “Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane, and thou opposed, being of no woman born, yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff.” (5.8.35-38); Macbeth throws away his last prophecy and acts upon free will. Instead of being