The Downfall of Macbeth Essay Sample

In the tradegy Macbeth, by William Shakespere, Macbeth is a cold blooded murderer who killed many innocent people along with carrying out harmful acts. When Macbeth was in an emotional state he had been thinking a lot about murdering king Duncan. At first he did not want to kill Duncan but eventually he was persuaded into doing it in the end. Macbeth says “I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?”(II.ii). Duncan had never done anything wrong to Macbeth, so therefore Macbeth killed an innocent man. Not only that but Duncan and Macbeth were also somewhat friends and it can be seen as betrayal. Even though Macbeth had mixed feelings about it in the end he still chose to carry it out cold heartedly making him guilty of murder. Additionally, when Macbeth was at the party he was concerned that Banquo, a friend of his, was suspicious of him and could potentially get in his way. He had heard from the witches' prophecy that someday he himself will become king but also that someday Banquos son Fleance could become king. He decided that he had to get rid of Banquo and hired murders to come kill Banquo and Fleance. One of the murders says “There's but one down; the son is fled” (III.iii). Banquo was killed but Fleance managed to escape. Macbeth is again guilty of killing an innocent man because he saw Banquo as another threat to the throne. He is power hungry and doing whatever it takes to make sure no one overthrows him. 

Lady Macbeth is guilty of manipulation of her husband Macbeth along with coming up with evil plans for her own self. While Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are having a conversation, he has his doubts about going through with the killing of King Duncan. She says to him ”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). Lady Macbeth is trying to manipulate her husband by speaking of his manhood. She is trying to get more power and control over him to make him cause harm to other people.  Additionally, Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth that tells her about the witches prophecy. She says ”Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way; thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it, what thou wouldst highly, Thou wouldst thou holily” (I.v). Lady Macbeth is worried that her husband might not be up for killing and doing harmful acts. She thinks he is too kind to become king and again tries to manipulate him.