Lady Macbeth's Downfall

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In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, one man by the name of Macbeth comes across three witches who prophesize that he will acquire the highest title of nobility and become king. Macbeth decides to act upon these prophecies in collaboration with his wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth then proceeds to kill King Duncan, and assumes the throne. However, to maintain power, Macbeth must kill more and more of his old friends. Macbeth's misinterpretation of more of the witches' prophecies eventually lead to his downfall and Lady Macbeth, once the stronger character of the two, loses her mind and starts to feel more guildy. Lady Macbeth serves as an example of pure ambition and incentive to spur Macbeth onto more violence by her plans to kill the King, …show more content…

Her unchecked manipulation on Macbeth is the part of the main plot. She first thrives on questioning the manliness and courage of Macbeth, leading him to change his mind completely from being uncertain about killing King Duncan for the royal crown, to killing friends and innocent people with ease all caused by the persuasive and ambitious personality that is of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is constantly questioning Macbeth's manhood every time he shows weakness. Her role in influencing Macbeth’s ideals is key to the play as it allowed for the rest of the story to take place. If she had not convinced him to murder King Duncan, he would not have gone off to kill Banquo, and anyone else in the way of his throne. She is the real power behind the throne, uncommon based on the setting of the play. The 1600s usually did not allow for women to hold power, but Lady Macbeth used her persuasive identity to control Macbeth’s innocence and masculinity to get her to the throne. This was different than the norm during the time of Shakespeare as he gives Lady Macbeth a position of power with characteristics such as ambitious and persuasive to maintain it and play a key role throughout the

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