by Holle Abee

Created on: February 11, 2009

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragic heroes. A tragic hero suffers a downfall, usually due to a character flaw. In Macbeth's case, the flaw is blinding ambition; however, he does not act alone. The fires of his desire for power are fed not only by his own hunger, but also by his wife and the three witches. With this in mind, who is ultimately responsible for our hero's demise?

Some readers might blame the three witches Macbeth encounters on the heath as he and Banquo make their way home from the battlefield. Before this meeting, Macbeth is fiercely loyal to King Duncan and to Scotland. In fact, he is a valiant warrior against the Norwegian forces in their war with Scottish troops. But the witches, through prophecy, plant the seed in Macbeth's mind of becoming Thane of Cawdor and king. Once he is awarded the title of Cawdor, he totally believes in the witches' power and falls willingly under their spell. Throughout the play, Macbeth continues to consult with the three old women.

Next in line for blame is Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth. Once she learns of the prophecy, she is all too ready for her husband to become king, no matter what evil deeds must be done to ensure his attaining the throne, including the quickest route to the crown: the murder of Duncan. Even when Macbeth has second thoughts, Lady Macbeth is there, goading him and shaming him into action. She actually does much of the subversive plotting and planning herself. Each time Macbeth is ready to abandon his evil course, she convinces him to remain steadfast on his path to power.

Even though the witches and Lady Macbeth certainly play an integral part in Macbeth's downfall, the choice is ultimately his. He could have ignored the hags' prophecy, like Banquo does. He did not have to share his dark desires with his wife, either. But once he is bent on becoming king, Macbeth is willing to kill anyone in his way, even including women, children, and his friends and countrymen. Were it not for this tragic flaw in Macbeth's character, he would have been happy with his position of thane and never sought the throne. In the end, he has no one to blame but himself.

Macbeth is truly a tragic figure: an honest, loyal patriot cut down by his own voracious appetite for power and position. His personality endures a complete change as his lust for the crown consumes him. This vaulting ambition ultimately brings about Macbeth's demise by Macduff's sword.

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