Macbeth's Greatest Downfall

Macbeth’s Greatest Downfall

It is a very common misconception in today’s society that ambition in it’s entirety is only ever a positive thing. From a young age we are taught that we are to aspire for greatness in everything we do, as it is only then that we will succeed. However, what often times goes unseen is how ambition can turn from a simple drive to succeed into a vengeful desire fuelled hunger towards gaining further power. Macbeth’s greatest downfall within Shakespeare's famous play is not a tragic flaw, and he himself is not a tragic hero. It’s not an influence from a greater power either, but rather it is his vaulting ambition and greed that cause him to fail at the end of the play. He allows himself to be influenced by the three

This disappoints Macbeth and he says, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/On which I must fall down, or else over leap” which indicates that he believes what the witches had told and doesn’t want any obstacles in the way of he himself becoming King (I:iv:56-57). Lady Macbeth, who is also driven by determination, encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan through means of denigration, as well as by challenging his manhood, “What beast was it then/ That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it then, you were a man” (I:vii:52-54). They finally come to the consensus that Duncan must be murdered, and after concurring on a plot to do so, Macbeth performs the deed. He is extremely remorseful after killing Duncan, and seems to wish that he had not done it. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean’s wash this blood/ Clean from my hands?” (II:ii:72-73). However, after killing Duncan and becoming King, Macbeth does not stop. His ambition drives him to ruthlessly order Banquo to be murdered, as well as Macduff’s entire family. He feels little to nothing after he orders the second and third murders to be complete, as his only focus is fulfilling what the witches prophesied for him, which is a great error in his judgement