Question

describe the circumstances that led to the downfall of Mcbetth (5 markh)

Answer 1

rowseNotessearch

HOMEWORK HELP > MACBETH

Macbeth's Downfall

What causes the downfall of MacBeth?

print Print

 

document PDF

 

list Cite

EXPERT ANSWERS

PMIRANDA2857 | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

Macbeth's downfall is attributed to a sense of over-confidence and unchecked ambition, and the impact of the witch's prophecy all three seal Macbeth's fate and his destruction 

At the start of the play, Macbeth is a loyal, courageous servant of the King of Scotland, but he is a man who harbors a hidden ambition for power.  He is both noble and brave in his defense of the King in battle, he is rewarded for his actions.  Macbeth has an encounter with a trio of witches and his life is changed.

Once the witches show him his future, he becomes obsessed with speeding up the anticipated coming into power.  He is told he will be King of Scotland, so Macbeth makes it happen by killing the King, which casts a shadow of doubt on his two sons, thereby allowing Macbeth to ascend to the throne.

Once Macbeth seizes power through violence and murder, his life is darkened with the crime of regicide, he has killed a rightful, good and much loved king.  His life begins to fall apart after this because he develops a serious case of paranoia over having the crown stolen from him.

He becomes a slash and burn murderer and he loses sight of his humanity, he has no morality governing his actions.  He thinks that he will be able to maintain his power through murder and intimidation.

This leads to Macbeth's isolation from everyone, his wife commits suicide and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.