The Consequences of Ambition: An Analysis of Macbeth's Decisions

This essay analyzes the impact of Macbeth's decisions in Shakespeare's play. It argues that Macbeth's ambition was his tragic flaw, leading to his downfall. The essay explores the role of the witches, who influenced Macbeth's choices through prophecies, and examines the concept of free will versus fate. Macbeth's decisions to murder King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family are highlighted as examples of his ambition-driven actions. The essay also addresses the significance of the witches' prophecies and their influence on Macbeth's choices, particularly the prophecy regarding Macduff's birth. The essay concludes that while fate may have played a role, Macbeth's free will ultimately determined his tragic end. The bibliography provides sources for further research.

Running head: IMPACT OF MACBETH’S DECISIONS
IMPACT OF MACBETH’S DECISIONS
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1IMPACT OF MACBETH’S DECISIONS
Macbeth written by William Shakespeare is one of the greatest tragic plays of all times
which brings out the main theme of ambition and its consequences, with a well knit plot. This
literary text has been chosen for the response because there have been several arguments
regarding the text and the character of Macbeth and it is a very good example dealing with the
impact of one’s ambition.
The thesis statement of this argumentative response is that the character of Macbeth had
been the greatest example of his tragic flaw and it can be very well understood by the impact of
his decisions. His ambition had been the prime reason of his deeds for which he had to face the
consequences as well.
In the drama, that Shakespeare had created, he had put in the idea of the three witches,
who had played a major role in driving Macbeth to his decisions. They had created prophesies
for the character and in turn influenced him to perform the evil act of murdering King Duncan
and eventually bringing about his own destruction1. The witches were the ones who had planned
the destruction of Macbeth. They had been the followers of the goddess of evil Hecate and had
guided Macbeth to his doom. They had cat their spell upon Macbeth letting him know that he can
be the King, and thus planned his downfall, and the path through which Macbeth’s ambition had
guided him. They had played the role of poisoning his mind with the prophesies, which had lured
him to be greedy and ambitious and eventually face the consequences of his own deeds2.
Due to the third apparition of the witches, which claimed that Macbeth would not be
killed by any man who had been born from a woman’s womb, lead Macbeth to his doom. He had
1 Uddin, Abu Saleh Nizam. "From Self Banishing Life to Life Banishing Self: The Prominent Causality and Lady
Macbeth’s Tragic Downfall." (2014).
2 Shahwan, Saed Jamil. "“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”: Themes of Loss and Death in William Shakespeare's
Macbeth."

2IMPACT OF MACBETH’S DECISIONS
believed that there was no one born in the world who can kill him as every person is bound to
take birth from a woman. However, the birth of Macduff had been different and he had been the
one who could kill Macbeth3. Thus when he confronts Macduff and knows the history behind his
birth, he realizes that he is bound to die in his hands.
The most important idea that Shakespeare had designed in this drama is the idea of free
will. It had been the free will of Macbeth along with the prophesies of the witches that had
resulted in his eventful impact. He had been the one who chose to take Duncan’s life, along with
the servants, Macduff’s family and also Banquo4. He had never been forced to perform these evil
acts. It was his choice to delve into this path of destruction. Even though he had a Fate that had
been predestined, Shakespeare wants his readers to have an idea that Macbeth had the right to
change his fate only if he did not pay much heed to the witches.
3 Earp, Brian D., Jim AC Everett, Elizabeth N. Madva, and J. Kiley Hamlin. "Out, damned spot: Can the “Macbeth
Effect” be replicated?." Basic and Applied Social Psychology 36, no. 1 (2014): 91-98.
4 Hazlitt, William. "From Characters of Shakespear’s Plays." In Macbeth, pp. 5-14. Routledge, 2015.

3IMPACT OF MACBETH’S DECISIONS
Bibliography:
Earp, Brian D., Jim AC Everett, Elizabeth N. Madva, and J. Kiley Hamlin. "Out, damned spot:
Can the “Macbeth Effect” be replicated?." Basic and Applied Social Psychology 36, no. 1
(2014): 91-98.
Hazlitt, William. "From Characters of Shakespear’s Plays." In Macbeth, pp. 5-14. Routledge,
2015.
Shahwan, Saed Jamil. "“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”: Themes of Loss and Death in William
Shakespeare's Macbeth."
Uddin, Abu Saleh Nizam. "From Self Banishing Life to Life Banishing Self: The Prominent
Causality and Lady Macbeth’s Tragic Downfall." (2014).