Table of Contents
An opening statement
Macbeth: The downfall of Macbeth
Macbeth’s Insecurities
Macbeth’s Ambition
Macbeth’s sense of guilt
In conclusion
This is an opening statement
In media like books, movies, plays, etc. It is never a coincidence that a character who was once wealthy, powerful and influential becomes a person of weakness and guilt. Macbeth the Scottish general, is told that three witches will prophesy that he’ll be King one day. Macbeth’s ambition, and his wife’s influence, lead him to kill the former king and take over the throne. At the end, Macbeth feels guilty and has lost all hope, which leads to his demise. Macbeth is destined to become a weak, depressed and hopeless person. This happens for many reasons. Macbeth’s insecurities are a major cause of his downfall.
Macbeth insecuritiesMacbeth does not want to be king in Scotland. After hearing about the witches’ predictions, Macbeth was hailed. All hail Macbeth, Thane Glamis!” Macbeth, 1.3.51) “Alleluia Macbeth!” Macbeth, who is somewhat intrigued by the prophecy (Macbeth 1.3.52), says “Hail To Thee, Thane Of Scotland!” Macbeth is also interested in the witches, as he commands them to give him more details about the predictions: “Stay! You imperfect speakers! Tell me more …”.” (Macbeth 1.3.72-80). Macbeth’s betrayer side is revealed in this way. He does not question the witches and is excited. He becomes impatient due to this excitement.
Macbeth also shows insecurity in scene 7 of act 1 when he accepts Lady Macbeth’s advice. Lady Macbeth in act 1, scene 5 reads out Macbeth’s letter, “They Met Me In The Day Of Success …””. She is more happy and excited than Macbeth and begins to plan how she can help Macbeth be crowned King. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that they will not continue with this business in act 1, scene 7, but Lady Macbeth convinces him to do so by using language and questioning Macbeth’s strengths. Macbeth ends the scene by saying “I’m settled, and bow up” (1.7.79-82). He agrees with his wife. Macbeth is a man who has a lot of insecurities. He loves his wife to the point that he would agree with her on committing treason. Macbeth’s biggest weakness is that he doesn’t listen to himself and is more influenced by others. His wife, for example, is manipulating Macbeth and willing to kill his baby to become king. Macbeth’s weakness is that he does not listen to himself and instead follows what other people say.
Macbeth’s ambition Throughout the entire play, Macbeth grows in power with each goal he accomplishes. As a King, Macbeth is more powerful than ever. His power allows him kill anyone that threatens the kingship. Macbeth’s humility and respectability remain after he becomes Thane Cawdor. In act 1, scene 3 he is made aware of his ambitions when he reads the prophecies. He realizes that his life will become richer and more contented. Macbeth has not changed his loyalty to the king despite these prophecies. Macbeth’s reaction is the exact opposite of his wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth feels a sudden desire to become Queen of Scotland, and her husband King. She has reached such a high level that she is willing to murder the King. In act 1, scene 7, Lady Macbeth successfully convinces Macbeth to take advantage of his ambition and gain power. Macbeth realizes that he is more powerful than ever after he kills Duncan in scene 1 of act 2. He feels proud and confident about his accomplishments. When he learns that Banquo and his sons are also going to be King, he becomes scared and intimidated. Macbeth’s anxiety about Banquo’s children taking his throne is shown in his thoughts. He feels intimidated and kills Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth’s murderers kill Banquo at scene 3 in act 3. This scene shows Macbeth’s loss of respect and loyalty, as well as his increasing ambition.
He kills Macduff and his family in Act 4, Scene 2. Macbeth is so frightened by Macduff’s threat to fight that he decides to burn Macduff, his wife, children, servants, and other family members. Macbeth does this in an effort to convince Macduff that he has more power than Macduff. After each murder, Macbeth becomes more aware of his ambitions and power. He also becomes obsessed with the idea of gaining even more power through killing people who could expose him. Macbeth, who has already killed Macduff’s entire family, wants to murder Macduff and gain more power. Macbeth, who is becoming increasingly powerful, does not realize that his rise to power will lead him to ruin. Macbeth’s ambition has caused Lady Macbeth to feel guilt and distress over their crimes. Both Macbeths have now realized that their decisions had consequences. However, they should really have thought it through before committing the crimes.
Macbeth’s guiltLady Macbeth allegedly kills her self because she is so guilty and in such emotional pain. Macbeth has lost all hope that he will remain king because of Lady Macbeth. Macbeth’s guilt is the last reason for his downfall. Macbeth has no confidence in himself and is weaker when he fights Macduff due to his guilt. Macbeth feels guilty before he kills Duncan. Macbeth’s guilt is revealed in Macbeth 2.1.33-61 Macbeth scene 1. Macbeth says, “Is that dagger before me?” Macbeth saw a dagger that was floating before him. Macbeth realized he had hallucinated when it kept moving away from his grasp every time he tried to grab it. His hallucination is confirmed when he states “Which I did not know before.” It’s not possible. Macbeth 2.1.47-50). This means that Macbeth knows he doesn’t see a dagger, but the murder he will commit makes him think otherwise. This soliloquy is Macbeth’s way of expressing his guilt over killing Duncan.
Macbeth also shows his guilt in the scene of act 3, where he encounters Banquo’s spirit at a banquet. Macbeth has a bad hallucination of the ghost which he sees. Macbeth, when he sees Banquo as a ghost for the first time, asks everyone “Who has done it?” (Macbeth 3.4.53), which is a sign that he was scared of what Banquo had done. Macbeth acts strangely and remains in shock before the guests. In the end, they leave because of Macbeth’s behavior. Macbeth murders Banquo, and this scene is all about his guilt. Macbeth gets almost nothing because of the despair and guilt he feels throughout.
ConclusionIt is Macbeth who has caused his downfall. Macbeth is insecure because he easily gets persuaded. He’s also insecure about his ambition. And he’s mentally depressed by guilt. Macbeth’s status rises with each new power he obtains, but because of his unfairness, he will eventually fall.
