Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare that dives into the consequences of ambition and the dangers of folding to temptation. The question of who is ultimately responsible for Macbeth's actions is a complex one, as there are multiple factors at play. However, it is clear that the Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth played significant roles in influencing Macbeth's decisions.
The Weird Sisters, also known as the three witches, are the first characters to introduce the idea of Macbeth becoming king. In Act 1, Scene 3, they chant, "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" This prophecy plants the seed of ambition in Macbeth's mind and sets him on a path towards his downfall. However, it is important to note that the witches do not force Macbeth to act on their prophecies, they just plant the idea in his head.
Lady Macbeth also plays a significant role in pushing Macbeth towards his eventual downfall. She is ambitious and desires power for herself and her husband. In Act 1, Scene 5, she says to herself, "Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty!" This quote shows Lady Macbeth's
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He had a choice in whether or not to act on their prophecies and Lady Macbeth's manipulations. In Act 1, Scene 7, he acknowledges this when he says, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition." This quote shows that while he recognizes his own ambition as a driving force behind his actions, he still chooses to act on it. Therefore, it can be argued that there is no ultimate villain in this play; rather, it is a tragic tale of human weakness and the consequences of unchecked