The Cause Of Duncan's Downfall In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare wrote the poem Macbeth which is about a great warrior who learns about a prophecy in which he will become king so kill the king and others who pose a threat of taking his crown. Throughout the story of Macbeth there are many actions and causes that lead to Macbeth’s downfall. While other may say that lady Macbeth is to blame for Macbeth's downfall in the story, Macbeth is the sole person to blame for his downfall. Macbeth was a brutal killer and very ruthless in his fighting, it was Macbeth's idea to kill Duncan, and his ambition to have power and be king led to his downfall in the story.

Macbeth was a brutal and ruthless killer from the beginning of the book. Macbeth was known for his brutality while killing …show more content…
Duncan feels no remorse after killing “Make thick my blood. Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it” (1.5,40-44). When Macbeth kills Duncan Macbeth he only had in mind of being king and did not want to feel any guilt from his actions. Macbeth then continues to kill anyone who threatens to take his crown. Once Macbeth kills Duncan he sees this as just a step to getting his crown “That is a step on which I must fall down or o'er leap Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4). This foreshadows that Macbeth plans on killing others who stand in his way of becoming king. Macbeth was told by the witches that he has nothing to fear “Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies” (4.1.82-86). Macbeth chose to kill them even after he was told he had nothing to worry about but he want to make sure that nothing would stand in his way. It was not only his choice but ambition to be king that caused his