Macbeth's Downfall Essay

Macbeths Downfall

Macbeth is at complete fault that lead to his downfall. Instead of waiting to see if the prophecies and apparitions came true, Macbeth decided to take fate into his own hands, and paid with his life. Although the witchs prophecies and apparitions were quite startling, he could have waited to see if they were telling the truth or not; how far can you really trust a witch?

One prophecy told Macbeth that he would be thane of Cawdor. He did not interfere with that prophecy. Not only did it come true, it gave Macbeth more power. The original thane of Cawdor suddenly just passed away and Macbeth was made his replacement. If that happened naturally, without a problem, then why didnt Macbeth have more faith in the other prophecies and other apparitions?

Macbeths second and third prophecies explained that he would become king of Scotland, but Banquos kids, Malcolm and Donalbain, would carry out the bloodline of kings. All of this news confused and enraged Macbeth. He didnt understand how he would become king, considering Scotland all ready had a king, King Duncan. And Macbeth also didnt understand why Banquos kids would carry out the bloodline of kings. Instead of letting the prophecies come to life, Macbeth takes on fate. First, with the help of his sweet demon of a wife Lady Macbeth, Macbeth stabs and kills King Duncan in his sleep. Paranoid and scared, Macbeth slowly begins to breakdown. Next, to keep Banquos kids from becoming king, he plans to ride with Banquo and his son Malcolm to assassinate them both. Macbeth ends up killing his friend Banquo but his sons Malcolm and Donalbain escape to England. At his banquet, Macbeth appears to have gone crazy. He sees Banquos ghost and acts out in front of the whole Royal Court.

Finally, Macbeth is shown three apparitions. These cryptic messages lead Macbeth to attempt to resist the inevitable. They also use serious loophole to get around telling the complete truth and saying what is going to happen. The second apparition claims that he will not be killed till Birnam Wood move up Dunsinane. It appears this meaning means the trees will have to uproots and somehow move up the hill before he is killed. But in reality, Malcolms English troops break off branches off the trees and it looks as if Birnam Wood is walking up Dunsinane hill. But the third apparition is the most misleading. It claims that Macbeth cannot be killed by anyone borne of woman. As far as biology goes, all living mammals are borne of female. This makes Macbeth feel invincible. As he taunts Young Siward, telling him he cannot be killed, he slays the young lad. Then the unthinkable happens. Macbeth and Macduff battle it out, Macbeth reminding Macduff the whole time he cannot die; then Macbeth is slain. But I thought Macbeth couldnt be killed by anyone borne of female? If you are wondering this, then you are wondering the right thing. It turns out Macduff was borne from a sea-section, not biologically. This cleverly and effectively loop holed the apparition.

In conclusion, Macbeth was completely responsible for his own downfall. He wanted to be in control so badly that he went as far as killing innocent people to get that control he so very craved. He took fate in his own hands, sacrificing his very life in the process. Although he was mislead at the end of the play, Macbeth had already committed so much wrong and manipulation that the hole was to deep to get out of. I believe Macbeth should have waited to what would happen. Trying to force what is planned to happen cannot be altered.