Macbeth's Manipulation Analysis

In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, characters use different tactics in order to use others to their benefit. A victim of severe manipulation in the play, is Macbeth. Macbeth’s naïve nature at the beginning of the play allows other characters in the play to use him to their advantage. Lady Macbeth uses him as her front man in order for her to become queen. She guides him through the murders of his closest friends to make the process of her becoming queen faster. The witches also contribute to Macbeth’s downfall by foretelling prophecies that lead him down the wrong path. The last factor that aids in Macbeth’s downfall, is his own ambition. After hearing the witch’s prophecies, Macbeth’s desire to become more powerful is awakened, causing …show more content…
Macbeth’s ambition plays a huge part in his decision making. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a fearless and honorable knight. He fights courageously alongside the other soldiers against Norway, and is rewarded for his bravery with the title for Thane of Cawdor. Keeping Macbeth’s ambition in mind, Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan by attacking his manhood, “Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would” Like the poor cat in the adage?” (I.VII.44-48). Lady Macbeth is aware that Macbeth will not back down from a challenge because his ambition will force him to fight back. Macbeth recognizes his flaw when he says, “To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which overleaps itself And falls on the other” (I.VII.25-26). Macbeth continues on down the same path even though he knows that his ambition will the best of him. More importantly, although Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambition seemed to make them very prosperous at first, as time progressed, it slowly started falling into pieces as they became ridden with