The Downfall of Macbeth In the play Macbeth, It appears that the motivation to succeed in life becomes overpowering. One may decide on wrongful actions to achieve a goal. Some of the influences on Macbeth include the witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s own insecurities and misguided attempts to control his future.The witches and their prophecies are the first major influence on Macbeth’s actions. Macbeth seems happy and content with himself until the witches tell him he will be king. He immediately begins to consider murdering Duncan:If good, why do I yield to that suggestionWhose horrid image doth unfix my hairAnd make my seated heart knock at my ribs,Against the use of nature?(Act I, iii: 134-137)Macbeth immediately writes Lady Macbeth. He obviously has great faith in the witches’ words. Later in the play, the apparitions, called by the witches, influence Macbeth by making him believe he is invincible:Rebellion’s head, rise never till the wood Or Birnam rise, and our high-placed MacbethShall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time and mortal custom.(Act IV, I: 97-100)Lady Macbeth is a second major influence of Macbeth. As soon as she learns of the witches’ words from Macbeth’s letter, she decides to influence him to kill Ducan because she believes he is to kind and good hearted to do it himself. She says:Hie the hitherThat I may pour my spirits in thine ear,An chastise with the valor of my tongueAll that impeded thee from the golden roundWhich fate and metaphysical aid doth seemTo have thee crowned withal.(Act I, v: 20-25)When Macbeth decides not to continue with their plan to murder Duncan, his wife urges him to act on his desires or he will think of himself as a coward. Then, she makes sure he will perform the deed by taking an active role in preparing for the murder.After he is named king, Macbeth’s misery and eventual downfall is caused by his own ...
