Is Macbeth Responsible For His Own Downfall Analysis

Shakespeare’s Scottish tragedy Macbeth denounces the Elizabethan ideology of fate and predetermined destiny by presuming that although Macbeth was a victim of his vast ambition, he was ultimately responsible for his downfall. Though there is much in the substance of Shakespeare’s tragedies that complicates the relationship between action and accountability concerning the tragic heroes, one can not assume, merely because they find themselves in an arduous position, that the events which unfolded in their midst engulfed them and rendered them powerless. Circumstance, then, does not simply deny the existence of responsibility. Given reason, one is capable both of the good and the evil behavior that seals his fate. The true calamity of this tragic Shakespearean play does not lie in the resulting circumstances that Macbeth then finds himself in, but what he chooses to make of those times. Ultimately, it is Macbeth himself who serves as the sole reason for his …show more content…
Henceforth, Macbeth is entirely responsible of his own actions, even to the point of denying his own conscience which repeatedly bade him to re-consider his dark ways leading to his demise. Regarding his conscience, he tells Lady Macbeth, “To know what I have done – it would be better to lose consciousness altogether”(2.2.87-88). He realizes the morality of his act, which leads to his overwhelming feeling of guilt. Macbeth wishes to forget completely he even committed the murder and his thoughts and comments strongly suggest that he regrets killing the king. This deep remorse drives him to the brink of insanity and henceforth leads to many consequent murders. He not only undeniably destroys himself by his own wicked and selfish ambitions, Macbeth is also fully remorseful for his actions while continuing to destroy the lives of others without