Term Papers on The Downfall Of Macbeth

Term Paper Title	The Downfall Of Macbeth
# of Words	1027
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.11

The Downfall of Macbeth

The Downfall of Macbeth

Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is the tragic tale of  Macbeth, a virtuous man, corrupted by power and greed. This tragedy can be classified by one of two theories. One theory suggests that the tragic hero, Macbeth, is led down an unescapable road of doom by an outside force; namely the three witches.  The second suggests that there is no supernatural force working against Macbeth, which therefore makes him responsible for his own actions and inevitable downfall. Macbeth is indeed responsible for his own actions which are provoked by Lady Macbeth, the witches,  his ambition, and an unwillingness to listen to his own conscience. These forces had no direct control over his actions but simply pointed out different paths for him to follow. Ultimately, Macbeth chose the path of darkness.

     Throughout  the entire play Macbeth ignores the voice of his own conscience. He knows what he is doing is wrong even before he murders Duncan. His own conscience is nagging at him but he allows Lady Macbeth and greed to cloud his judgement. In referring to the idea of the murder of Duncan, Macbeth first states,"We will proceed no further in this business"(I, vii, 32). Yet, after speaking with Lady Macbeth he recants and proclaims, "I am settled, and bend up /Each corporal agent to this terrible feat"(I, vii, 79-80). He allows himself to be swayed by the woman he loves. Lady Macbeth gave him an ultimatum and provoked him by saying:

               When you durst do it, then you were a man;
               And to be more than what you were, you would
               Be so much more the man..... (I, vii, 49-51)

She provokes him by questioning his manhood and then saying that he would be a much greater man if he were to go through with the deed. Macbeth then had to make a decision. He willingly chose to follow the path of death and destruction. Lady Macbeth simply showed him that path.

     It is easy to believe that the witches controlled Macbeth and made him follow a path of doom. The predictions they give, coupled with their unholy ways suggest that they are in control of him. They are not. It is admittedly strange that the weird sisters first address Macbeth with,"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee Thane of Cawdor!"(I, iii, 49), a title which not even Macbeth is aware he has been awarded. Even stranger is the third witch calling to Macbeth,"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"(I, iii, 50). Here it may seem as if the witches are using their supernatural powers to control Macbeth's future. All they have done is foretold his future. A prophecy is hardly  an invitation to murder. Banquo hears the witches' words and tells Macbeth:

                    The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
                 Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
                 In deepest consequence (I, iii, 124-126)

He is telling Macbeth not to be swayed by the witches even though one of the prophecies has come true. I...

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