Explain The Three Main Events That Led To The Downfall Of Macbeth

Throughout Macbeth there are evil plots happening, but there is always one question. How did Macbeth stoop so low? Well the purpose of this essay is to do just that, create a timeline with analysis on how Macbeth became evil. It will start with the prophecy given to Macbeth by the three witches, and end at his murdering sprees. The main events that led Macbeth to stoop so low were the prophecy by the witches, Macbeth’s wife manipulating him to kill Duncan, and killing Banquo. Overall these were the three main events that led Macbeth to his downfall.
The first event that led to Macbeth’s downfall was the witches prophecy. Macbeth in the first act got done with killing people in a battle and later met the three witches with Banquo. The witches gave each of them a prophecy, they told Macbeth that he would become king and that Banquo’s posterity would also rule. Macbeth of course was excited but after the witches left he wanted to know how, and eventually he came to the decision that he would have to kill the original king Duncan. This can be seen when he says, “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well/ It were done quickly”(Act 1,scene 7). This was where he first debated killing the king, thus leading his thoughts towards murder. In this statement he’s saying if I do this I

could be damned if I kill Duncan. Ultimately this can be seen as the first pivotal point to his downfall.
The next event that led to his downfall was Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth to kill Duncan. She says, “And live a coward in thine own esteem”(Act 1, scene 7, line 43). This shows that she manipulates him by calling him a coward and later questioning his manhood. It also shows that she knows how to make Macbeth do stuff, and ultimately get what she wants. Even though Lady macbeth pushed him he chose to give in so she wouldn’t question his manhood. Since this event pushed Macbeth to commit further it can be seen as the next pivotal point in the play.
The final major event that led to Macbeth’s downfall was killing Banquo.

Banquo, at the beginning of the play, was the conscience that Macbeth needed. In fact he was the only person who really tried to talk Macbeth out of anything bad like listening to the witches, or not killing Duncan. But later this was his downfall, since he was the only one against Macbeth who knew about everything he did. Thus making him a threat that needed to eliminate, so when Macbeth killed him it was like killing his conscience and best friend. Again, taking him towards the final step of his downfall. By killing his best friend it led all the happiness out of his life forever turning him towards a dark

path.
In conclusion the three events that led to Macbeth’s downfall were the witches prophecy, Lady Macbeth convincing him to kill Duncan, and killing Banquo. The witches prophecy gave him the needed ambition to even think about killing Duncan, and even giving him motive to later kill Banquo. Macbeth’s wife convincing him to kill Duncan gave him the needed push in his conscience to instead turn the thought of killing the king, into an action and plan. Lastly killing Banquo, in turn got rid of his conscience and got rid of any choice of reconciliation, and furthermore allowed Macbeth’s rule to go unchallenged in his mind. Although these events make up the pivotal points in his life, it was still ultimately his decision to listen to the witches advice, and follow all of his wife’s counsel, and kill everyone. This is the main reason why Macbeth should be considered a monster, because he let his ambition overrun his conscience.