ipl-logo

To What Extent Are The Witches Responsible For The Downfall Of Macbeth

1063 Words5 Pages

In the chaos of a storm, amidst the cracking lightning and deafening thunder, three witches chanted in unison: “All hail, Macbeth! Thane of the Glamis! Thane of the Cawdor! ...future king!” (Shakespeare I.iii.48-50). These were the first and most impactful words that the three weird sisters ever spoke to Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, and the ones that sent him into the endless spiral of betrayal, murder, and madness. The debate over whether the witches are responsible for his actions has been discussed by many, but the overall truth to this argument is that the witches did not do so. The reasons for this are that the witches' prophecies would have still come true regardless of any intervention, and Macbeth’s exercise of free will ultimately determined his actions. The claim that the witches implemented the ideas for him to gain power can also be refuted by saying Lady Macbeth had …show more content…

Ultimately, it is the combination of the inevitability of the prophecies, Macbeth’s free will, and Lady Macbeth's manipulation that make the witches inculpable for Macbeth’s actions. To begin with, the witches' prophecies while being very vague, only predicted the future events that would unfold with or without Macbeth's intervention. Despite the ambiguity of their words, Macbeth was clear on how regardless of what he did, the future would reflect what the witches' statements were, therefore there was no reason for him to do things such as murder Duncan. The quote “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me. Without my stir.” shows how Macbeth was aware that fate would make him king without him having to do anything (Shakespeare I.iii.145-146). These lines effectively personify fate, as he says

Show More
Related

Explain Why The Witches Is To Blame In Macbeth

295 Words | 2 Pages

Although Macbeth killed King Duncan and Lady Macbeth had controlled Macbeth, the witches are responsible for King Duncan’s death because the witches started the whole process. One reason the witches should be blamed for the murder of King Duncan is because they had known everything before it happened. In Act 1 scene 1 the witches said, “Hail to you, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis!”,” Hail to you Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor!” and “Hail Macbeth! You will be the King,” If the witches had not told the prophecy, Macbeth would not have sent Lady Macbeth a letter.

Read More

How Did The Witches Cause Macbeth's Downfall

742 Words | 3 Pages

Robert G. Innersole once said,” Temptations are as thick as the leaves of the forest, and no one can be out of the reach of temptation unless he is dead.” In the play Macbeth a man named Macbeth is given a prophecy by witches indicating he will be king. Macbeth then tells his wife about the prophecy and in turn she suggests that he kills the current king. After continuous fighting he kills the king and becomes king. However, in the end he is killed by Mac duff, a friend of Duncan, and then Malcolm, the son of the former king, becomes king.

Read More

How Did The Witches Contribute To The Tragedy Of Macbeth

651 Words | 3 Pages

The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, shows how greed, ambition and hubris can cause demise. Rather than reflecting the political struggles of the Post-classical era, when Macbeth is set to have taken place, Macbeth's endeavors to gain power instead reflect the supernatural beliefs and political fears of Britain during the reign of King James I in the modern era. These distinctions can be attributed to Shakespeare’s existence during King James I’s reign as witchcraft and many threats to the throne were apparent in this age.

Read More

Who Is To Blame For Macbeth's Downfall

921 Words | 4 Pages

“Psychopaths don't sit still for science and ordinary people can't be made to think so savagely,” proving that if any normal man attempted to follow the choices of these deranged killers, he would fall to pieces, just Macbeth did (Jeffrey Kluger). Choices are what become us, and because of the multitudinous choices made throughout this play, a man lost everything he once was on his path to power. Macbeth’s descent into madness and insanity can be narrowed down to a few things, such as people and it could’ve been the Witches, Lady Macbeth, or even Macbeth himself. The Witches in Macbeth were the very ones who started the whole downward spiral that swept up Macbeth. With their predictions of his future, they implanted illusions that plagued his mind with poisonous thoughts of grandeur.

Read More

Who Was Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

1041 Words | 5 Pages

This specifically occurred when Macbeth hired murderers to kill both Banquo and Fleance. At that point in the novel, his ambition was shining through and his free will was the only thing causing him to make those decisions. Perhaps the witches’ prophecy would have still come true had Macbeth not murdered several people. If it was truly fate it would have happened regardless; meaning Macbeth did not have to make his fate occur by committing such terrible actions. However, because Macbeth had free will, he chose to take that specific route with little influence over anyone else.

Read More

Examples Of Innocence In Macbeth

526 Words | 3 Pages

Macbeth was manipulated with beastly powers and to make thing even worse, his wife provoked him which later drove him into insanity. Without these influences, the idea of becoming king would have never occurred to the loyal Macbeth. It is clear that the 3 weird sisters plotted to manipulate Macbeth to kill Duncan which proves the innocence of Macbeth. The weird sisters are instruments of the devil. The sisters had stated an unbelievable prophecy that made Macbeth believe that his unnatural rise to power seemed natural.

Read More

Who Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

1300 Words | 6 Pages

Throughout one's life, a time comes where they are faced with compelling circumstances fueled by their desire. When faced with such uncertainty individuals’ are left questioning what they are willing to give up rather than, what they are willing to do to achieve their ambition. Depending on the choice one makes, not only is the course of their life changed, but who they become as people. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare such is depicted by the lead character Macbeth. Macbeth’s thirst of ambition fueled by his self-interests leads him to overshadow his morals, in order to succeed as king, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Read More

Who Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

1203 Words | 5 Pages

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. ” We are responsible for our actions, which shape us as a person. Our ignorance towards our actions can distort our reality, just like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth commit actions that shaped their character which ultimately leads to their downfall.

Read More

Who Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

666 Words | 3 Pages

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, the protagonist , Macbeth is a victim of fate, as fate dismantles one’s ability to act freely. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is named the Thane of Cawdor for his bravery in the Scots’ war against Norway.

Read More

Macbeth Fate And Free Will Essay

831 Words | 4 Pages

It can be argued that the witches tricked Macbeth into becoming a greedy and evil soul, for one of the prophecies coming true allowed Macbeth to act on the rest of them. Chaos essentially ensued, and that in itself played along to get Macbeth to do something. Overall, the witches' sole purpose- knowing what would happen based on their actions- was to get Macbeth to act on the prophecies. By getting Macbeth to act on the prophecies', it was destined from there that the tragedy of Macbeth was to ensue, as he went along committing heinous crimes. The witches and their prophecies were one of the many external forces that played with Macbeth’s internal thoughts, which encouraged him to act evilly.

Read More

Fall Of Macbeth Research Paper

839 Words | 4 Pages

In the beginning of “The Tragedy of Macbeth”, Macbeth was tempted with words of the future from three witches. The witches told Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!

Read More

The Responsibility Of The Witches In Shakespeare's Macbeth

431 Words | 2 Pages

Macbeth “(seems) to fear things that do sound so fair” as he realises that the witches can see inside his heart and mind and know how ambitious he is. Macbeth possesses “black and deep desires” which have been sparked by the weird sisters. In addition to the witches playing on Macbeths ambition, the witches indirectly also play on Lady Macbeths ambition. The letter Macbeth sends to Lady Macbeth explains the predictions of the witches. Once Lady Macbeth read it, she felt “the future in an instant”.

Read More

The Witches Are Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall Analysis

1010 Words | 5 Pages

People are responsible for the consequences of their actions. When people are not responsible for their own actions, they tend to blame others for their problems. The lack of personal responsibility makes us as human beings, less responsible. The more you lack personal responsibility, the more you make excuses in order to get out of your own personal problem. In the story, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, it shows Macbeth being a person that has little to no personal responsibilities.

Read More

Essay Who Is Responsible For Macbeth's Destruction

832 Words | 4 Pages

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter!

Read More

Supernatural Influence On Macbeth

685 Words | 3 Pages

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be

Read More

More about To What Extent Are The Witches Responsible For The Downfall Of Macbeth

Open Document