Shakespeares Macbeth - Lady Macbeth and the Tragic Flaw...

Lady Macbeth and the Tragic Flaw Are to Blame ...Go pronounce his present death,/ And with his former title greet Macbeth. (Act 1, Scene 2, 64-65) Though the word death in this sentence refers to the former thane of Cawdors demise, Shakespeare uses the clever trick of foreshadowing Macbeths downfall by coupling the word death with the word Macbeth so early in the tragedy. The quote has another importance it introduces the ideas of treachery and personal gain from less-than-legitimate means, two characteristics Macbeth picks up on as the story advances. We are introduced to Macbeth as a hero, a slayer of the Norweyans, even Bellonas bridegroom, lapped in proof (Act 1, Scene 2, 54), but by the end of the play†¦show more content†¦During the famed banquet scene, the Lady again saves Macbeth by covering up his fear of Banquos ghost. However by this time, her ruthlessness has taken root in Macbeth and to the end of the play, her mental state deteriorates from clear-headed to death, hitting the intermediary stages o f remorse, insanity and sleepwalking. In the third scene of the first act, Banquo** asks, ...have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner? in response to the witches prophecies. Banquo is partly right in the assumption that Macbeths mind is not pure. When Macbeth says The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else oerleap (Act 1, Scene 4, 48-49), we see that Macbeth may have already the idea of killing Duncan. Macbeths ultimate goal is to become king; he does this with a certain amount of ease, but the process somehow awakens his tragic flaw, the ruthlessness with which he destroys his own reign. After he kills the dead kings servents, his targets are Banquo and Fleance, who have heard or are involved in the third prophecy. Macbeth sends the three murderers who stab the famous dying words out of Banquos mouth: Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! (Act 3, Scene 3, 17). Macbeth must crush dissent he kills Macduffs wife and children. Macbeths reign of non-stop killing e rodes Scotlands confidence in him and he has no chanceShow MoreRelatedLady Macbeth by William Shakespeare1086 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare tragic hero; Macbeth is undoubtedly conveyed as one of literatures greatest fallen heroes. Initially presented as an admirable hero, he self destructs from external and internal forces. The witches ignited Macbeth’s ambition and temptations prove too strong for the one admired war hero, whilst Lady Macbeth prays up on his exceptional being of vaulting ambition. Throughout the essay, the factors influence Macbeth’s downfall will be explored. 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