Macbeth's Downfall
Why Did Macbeth Fall?
Macbeth soon came true. The prophecies said he would become the Thane of Cawdor and then King. Which he did. Immediately after he became Thane of Cawdor he began to think about killing the King of Scotland to fulfill the prophecies. "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature" (1.3.155). Here Macbeth is confused and arguing whether he should kill the King or not to try and fulfill the prophecies. He shows aspiration because he sees the that the other prophecies came true and wishes for the third to come true too. Later on, Macbeth carries out his thoughts of killing King Duncan. With the help of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's aspiration, Macbeth had "done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise"(2.2.19). Macbeth's aspiration led him to fulfill the third prophecy by killing Duncan. Now Macbeth will become King. Lastly, towards the end, Macbeth is told by the witches third apparition to take aspiration, because they state that Macbeth will not be defeated until Birmingham Wood marches upon Dunsidane Hill. "Arm, Arm, and out! If this which he avouches does appear, there is nor flying hence nor tarrying here" (5.5.51). After the witches apparitions come true, Macbeth gathers aspiration and must face his death while fighting. He decides to meet the intruders and fight rather than stay in his castle. Aspiration of the witches prophecies leads Macbeth through the play all the way to his tragic end.
Literary Devices
Sonnet
the sisters vanish yet behold great news
That make me crave the most harmful of deeds
that crush my appeal I wish not to loose
I am a ruthless and ignorant man
that harms whoever may stand in my way
I must hide the fact that I am a madman
and think of the prophecies every day
I am the cause of many peoples deaths
for they have stood in my way much too long
I shall soon approach in my last few breaths
I have been leading to this all along
For now I passed with a lesson learned
That power is not forced but rather earned