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Ian Van der Merwe

Mr. Bigelow
English 10
March 10, 2016
The Cause of Macbeths Downfall
In the many stories the ideas of fate and the consequences of ones
action are largely shown. There are often many characters, several of whom
influence the other characters and their actions. However some of these
characters have a larger influence in the story, and the choices and action of
the main characters. The play Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare
and has these ideas thoroughly woven into its plot. In the play the
protagonist, Macbeths downfall is brought on by a combination of his own
ambition as well as the witchs interference. In the play the witches spark
Macbeths ambition and he then takes charge, acting on the prophecies to
make them come true, eventually leading to his inevitable downfall. Some
will say that Lady Macbeth had a large place in his downfall, this however is
not true. Macbeth was already thinking about killing the king, Lady Macbeth
merely made Macbeth do so faster. Another argument might be that
Macbeths downfall was entirely up to the witches. Just as before, this is not
true. This is proven to be false mostly through Banquo, who also received

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prophecies but did not act on them. Meaning the fact that Macbeth acted on
his was his choice, not the witches.
In the play, the downfall of Macbeth was brought about not only the
witches interjecting themselves into the plot, but also through Macbeths
ambition. The witches can be seen putting the idea of being king into
Macbeths head early on in the play. After hearing the prophecies, Banquo
comments saying how Macbeth seemed to fear/Things that do sound so
fair (1.3.52-53). This shows how the witches put the idea of becoming king
into Macbeths head, and his reaction shows us that he is taken back by this
idea. This is also where one can assume Macbeth first thought about killing
the king, as he knew the only way he could be king is if the current king is
gone. Macbeths ambition is also seen early on in the play. At one point he
speaks with Banquo who says he will only take actions in which he can
keep/ [his] allegiance clear(2.1.26-27). This shows how Banquo would
not do something as horrendous as killing the king just to ensure his children
will be kings. Unlike Macbeth, whose ambition leads him to do that very
thing.
Another argument someone may bring up regarding Macbeths
downfall, is that Lady Macbeth had a substantial part in his downfall. The
only thing Lady Macbeth did was cause him to act sooner, and with less guilt,
neither of which would have stopped Macbeth from ending the way he did.
After Macbeth returns home and speaks with Lady Macbeth about the

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prophecies and in particular him being king, Lady Macbeth makes a remark
saying that his face is a book where men/May read strange matters
(1.5.64-65). This shows that even Lady Macbeth could see that Macbeths
mind was made up about killing the king. And that even without Lady
Macbeths encouragement, Macbeth would have still killed the king. Later in
the book, as Macbeth continues to act in ways that will help lead to his
downfall, Lady Macbeth is absent from his plotting. In one scene in particular,
right after Banquo is killed, she is oblivious of what Macbeth has done saying
how Macbeth has broke the good meeting,/With most admired disorder
(3.4.109-110). This dialogue about not knowing why Macbeth is acting the
way he is shows the reader of her not knowing what Macbeth has done.
Killing Banquo, the scene prior to this one, was an action on Macbeths part
that worked to seal his downfall, and as one can see, Lady Macbeth had no
part in it.
Another argument is that the witches were the sole reason behind
Macbeths eventual downfall. The best argument against this is Banquo.
Although some prior knowledge is required for this piece of evidence,
Banquo does not act on his prophecies, and still has his be fulfilled. At the
end of the play Macduff is quoted saying Hail, king (5.8.54) when speaking
to Malcolm. This shows that by the end of the play, Malcolm is king, not
Banquos children. The plays original audience however would know that
their king was related to Banquo meaning they would know that his
prophecies became true, despite him not acting on them. This is all to show

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that since Macbeth was too ambition and took his prophecies into his own
hands, he himself had a hand in his downfall. This is further shown in
Banquos more passive nature when it comes to his prophecies. Again when
talking to Macbeth his mentions that he will keep/ his allegiance clear
(2.1.26-27). Showing he will not let his own ambitions lead him to betray his
friends, which in Macbeths case leads to his downfall. This means that if the
witches had been the only deciding factor, then without Macbeths ambition,
either the prophecies wouldnt have come true, or they would have, but
without the consequences they did in the play.
This is all to show that the protagonist of William Shakespeares
Macbeths downfall was caused not only by the witches, but also by his
ambition. Others may say that Lady Macbeth had a large role in this as well,
or even that Macbeths downfall was only because of the witchs interference.
But neither of these is true, as Banquo did not act the same as Macbeth, and
still had his prophecies come true, as well as the fact that Macbeth would
have killed King Duncan and started down the road to his downfall regardless
of Lady Macbeths interferences.