Macbeth's Flaws Essay

Everyone has flaws, but how they dictate a person’s life is up to them and this is shown in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Macbeth is one of these characters whose flaws damage him in many ways. Throughout the story, the reader can see the changes in Macbeth’s emotions and actions. He went from hero to tyrant, from honor to tyranny, and from ambition to greed. Macbeth’s flaws and moral weaknesses led him to his downfall which was inevitable because of how his actions and emotions affected him throughout the play.

People change over time from past events in their lives, and Macbeth is no exception as his guilt eats away at him and then turns to indifference. The first show of guilt from Macbeth in the play is in (Shakespeare2.2.39-41) when he says,”

The first time in the play that the reader sees Macbeth push forward and show ambition is when he realizes that what the witches said was true and he says,” Two truths are told. As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme.” (1.3.127-129.) The first thing to come true was that he becomes the thane of Cawdor and Macbeth wonders if the prophecy of him becoming king will become true and is eager about the possibility of the prophecy coming true. Once Macbeth is king his ambition changes to keeping the throne rather than getting it and Macbeth says,” To be thus is nothing, to be safely thus.”(3.1.47-48.) He wants to keep the throne because to him he believes why to be king if one cannot continue the lineage. At this point in the play, Macbeth realizes that killing Duncan has not solved all of his issues which leads to events later in the play. “For mine own good all causes shall give way. I am in blood. Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.”(3.4) Macbeth states that violence is the answer to all his problems along with it being for his own good. As stated in the previous point this is one of the later events which lead to Banquos death. As the reader reads through the play his ambition leads him to greater power, but it also is one of Macbeth’s greatest flaws because of his ambition which led him to the

The beginning of Macbeth's downfall starts when the witches say,” First Witch. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! Second Witch. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! Third Witch. All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3. 48-50)Them saying this began his downfall as each of the statements came true. It’s significant because he believes everything the witches say is true after this comes true and he eventually goes back to them. In a later scene, Hecate comes and says,” And that, distilled by magic sleights, Shall raise such artificial sprites As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know, security Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” (3. 5.25-33 ). These lines are important because it tells how Hecate and the witches are going to manipulate Macbeth’s beliefs. They manipulate him into believing that he’s unstoppable and make him confident. Macbeth listens to them even when he knows that they are not to be trusted and this helps lead him to his downfall. The final peace leading to his downfall is when he goes to the witches and believes what he is told. “Macbeth. I conjure you by that which you profess (However you come to know it), answer me. Though