macbeths downfall 1
macbeth’s downfallMacbeth’s downward spiral
People everyday are faced with decisions. The way one decides to act on these determines the outcome of the days in their life. In Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, the characters are develops so their decisions determine their fate. In the play, Macbeth’s downfall is influenced by the three witches’ prophecies, his wife Lady Macbeth, and the apparitions shown to him. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is approached by three witches. The witches accost him with the titles “Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and that shalt be king hereafter” (Shakespeare Act I line 52). The prophecies confuse Macbeth art first because although the is Thane of Glamis at that time, the Thane of Cawdor is still alive. Shortly after he is told these statements which he can not believe to be true, Macbeth begins to wonder if he, one day, will become king. “Glamis and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind” (Act I scene 3 line 133). The truth in this prophecy leads Macbeth to ill thoughts as to what is in store for him and how he can achieve becoming king. King Duncan names his son, Malcolm, heir to the Scottish throne. This action reduces the chance for Macbeth to become king.
Macbeth decides, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I fall down, or else o’er leap…” (Act I scene 4 line 55). This delineates MacBeth’s character and begins to show his ill feelings as to how he will act on these prophecies. King Duncan is invited to MacBeth’s castle at Inverness where Macbeth will decide what actions to take to become King of Scotland. Before Macbeth returns to Inverness, he writes a letter to Lady Macbeth telling her of the strange prophecies. Ill thoughts are immediately stirred up in her mind, and her greed and ambition show that Macbeth will be king. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” (Act I scene 5 line 15). Lady Macbeth is saying that Macbeth is too kind of a person to carry out the actions necessary to become king. When the messenger comes to say the king is coming, she begins to plan the murder of Duncan.
However, when Macbeth arrives, he tells her that he can not kill Duncan because he is a loyal kinsman. Lady Macbeth turns the situation around and calls him a coward for not having the valor needed to fulfill his desire. Lady Macbeth tries to persuade Macbeth, “Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale at what it did do freely?…Art thou afeared to be...
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