The Witches Influence On Macbeth

Macbeth bears the responsibility for the death of Duncan, his king, his kinsman and his guest. Macbeth was sucked in by ambition and fooled by his own conscience. Lady Macbeth may be a catalyst to Macbeth 's actions, but Macbeth is ultimately powered by his own ambitions and the prophecy of the witches.

The witches ' prophecies have a powerful effect on Macbeth. Banquo asks him "why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair"(Act 1 Scene 1) . Banquo does not know why Macbeth is discombobulate even when he knows he will be King. What the witches say really affect Macbeth 's mind, especially the prediction that one day he will become King.. Macbeth 's mind is the first sign of his ambitious nature and the first indicator

In his asides, Macbeth mentions that he has done all he can do and says "greatest is behind". The word "behind" is significant because suggests disingenuous behaviour by which Macbeth obtains the crown. Macbeth questions Banquo "Do you not hope your children shall be kings" indicating that he seems worried about the prediction the witches had made almost as though he is flustered by the thought of the prophecy coming true. Clearly, Macbeth 's ambitious nature is taking over his normal nature as he wants to hear more from the witches "strange intelligence". Thus, the witches ' words have caused him to have a concerned mood. Even though Act 1 Scene 3 was the first meeting of the witches and Macbeth, the witches can be seen accountable for Macbeth 's tragic fall because the witches ' influence him in a negative manner, to a point where he sees Banquo and his Son Fleance as an obstacle. Thus, it is his ambitious nature that leads him to

Lady Macbeth contributes towards Macbeth 's downfall as she is seen to be alluring, particularly in encouraging Macbeth to kill the King. She too is sure that murder is the only solution to make the prophecy come true, but she also believes that he is "too full o ' the milk of human kindness". Lady Macbeth uses the metaphor of "milk" (being a pure drink) to show that Macbeth will "catch the nearest way" to become the King of Scotland. Macbeth does not lack ambition,however he is squeamish about the methods used to become the leader. In Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth decides to cancel the plan of murdering king Duncan, Lady Macbeth uses several techniques to in order to convince him to carry out the plan. She asks him, "was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?" She uses the metaphor of alcohol to imply that Macbeth 's courage is the result of alcohol and not real vigour. Macbeth is a strong warrior, so by insulting him, she is taking a shot at his manliness. Lady Macbeth accuses Macbeth of being too timid and "afeard" to trigger his ambition. She also accuses Macbeth of being "green and pale". Green in this context refers to 'coldness ' and 'sickness ', making Macbeth feel very small and weak. Thus, Macbeth is accused of being a coward. Macbeth can not fight against his wife, hence he decides to go ahead with the plan. In the bible, it was Eve who persuaded Adam to eat from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil after being tempted by the devil in the form of a