Macbeth's Downfall Research Paper

Macbeth's Downfall Research Paper

Macbeth's Downfall

A true tragedy is emerged from a person who expressed vast poor judgment and terrible choices. Macbeth is definitely one to talk for that specific circumstance. The noble thane and honorable man starts out as looking like the good guy in the play, however he is the tragic hero. As a tragic hero, Macbeth is of noble stature, develops a tragic flaw which snowballs into his downfall, he realizes what he has done, and his fate of death catches up with him. The main subject that manipulates Macbeth into developing his tragic flaw of ambition is his wife. She unsexes herself into becoming more like man than a woman. Her ultimate goal is total role reversal, overpowering and manipulating her husband's thoughts and motives. She accomplishes exactly what she wants. Macbeth creates his downfall as a tragic hero because he is manipulated by Lady Macbeth, the witches, and his own characteristics. (Macbeth)

Can a wife really dominate over her husband? Lady Macbeth is the ultimate influence on Macbeth to push him into his first guilt trap of killing King Duncan. Literary critic A.C. Bradley confirms saying, "And, in the opening Act at least, Lady Macbeth is the most commanding and perhaps the most awe-inspiring figure that Shakespeare drew." He also includes that she is well aware of her husband's weaknesses and knows how to attack him to get what she wants. In Act1, Scene 5 Lady Macbeth states, "Look like th' innocent flower / But be the serpent under ‘t. He that's coming / Must be provided for; and you shall put / This night's great business into my dispatch." She is addressing her husband to act normal so he does not seem suspicious, while she will handle the sinister plan of killing King Duncan. The wish that Lady Macbeth desires is to not feel remorse for the horrible acts of crime she will commit. In Act 1, Scene 5 she calls out, "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." Lady Macbeth is calling on the evil spirits to make her more of a man, and to fill her from head to toe with deadly cruelty. She knows that in order to accomplish the deadly deed of murder that she cannot be sensitive and emotional to the situation or else it will not prevail. Lady Macbeth continues the manipulation allowing the witches' prophecies to sink in and torment Macbeth's head. (Macbeth)

Can supernatural forces really control one's actions? The three weird sisters and their prophecies control Macbeth's thoughts and actions throughout the entire play. The futures of both Macbeth and Banquo possess Macbeth's mind until it drives him mad. In Act 1, Scene 3 the third witch predicts, "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" The witch blatantly gives away Macbeth's future over to him, however the question arises to him how such an honor will come about. Now not only does Macbeth receive this information, furthermore another important factor comes into play. In Act 1, Scene 3 the same witch announces, "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. / So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!" This part of the prophecy antagonizes Macbeth making him ponder that if he becomes king how does Banquo's descendants get the thrown? This thought violates Macbeth's mind even after crowned king, it drives him to kill his dear friend. Macbeth allows the witches to sway his thoughts and swaying his ambition, ultimately changing his personality and soul. (Macbeth)

Solely, Macbeth allows himself to be manipulated into his evil actions. Macbeth starts out as a good noble person, nevertheless he allows his characteristics and soul to be manipulated and changed completely. He becomes a cynical murderer not letting anyone get in the way of what he is going after. In Act 5, Scene 5 Macbeth realizes,

I have almost forgot the taste of fears. / The time has been my senses would have cooled /

To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair / Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir / As

life were in ‘t. I have supped full with horrors. / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts / Cannot once start me.

Macbeth expresses how surprised he is that he had forgotten what fear feels like. The man he once knew would have been horrified by a little shriek in the night. Unfortunately, from all the real life horrors that he has committed, it causes him to become so familiar