Who Was Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

William Shakespeare's MACBETH, also know as THE SCOTTISH PLAY is a play thought to be first performed in 1606. The play showcases the effects of ambition, guilt, and disorder caused by the desire of power for one's own benefits. The play centres around a Scottish general named Macbeth who is told by three witches that he will one day be the King of Scotland, this combined with his ambition and his wife's manipulation leads to him killing King Duncan, he then spirals into guilt and obsession, leading to his eventual death. For the most part, Macbeth is responsible for his downfall, but the three witches and Lady
Macbeth are also large forces in contributing to his downfall.
The three witches were influential and in part responsible for the downfall

At first, Macbeth did not believe the witches but when he was named Thane of
Cawdor something promised by them, it sparked his ambition and drove him towards the crown. The witches also give Macbeth false security as the second set of prophecies they give him gets him thinking that he is invincible. This is evidenced in the text when facing Macduff, Macbeth says "I bare a charmed life which must not yield to one of woman born." This comes after receiving the prophecy from the witches "none of women born Shall harm Macbeth." These quotes show that the witches prophecies gave Macbeth false hope as they didn't truly explain them to him. Together these examples prove that although the weird sisters didn't tell him to kill King Duncan, and didn't lie in their prophecies, they share intentionally ambiguous information with him which escalated and contributed to his downfall.
Lady Macbeth also plays a role in Macbeth's downfall. Throughout the play, she is portrayed as an ambitious woman who is able to manipulate Macbeth easily. It's obvious that Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth

This shows Lady Macbeth intentionally damaging his self-esteem by questioning his manliness and bravery. These quotes showcase Lady Macbeth's ability to influence Macbeth's actions as she challenges his courage. Together these examples prove that Lady Macbeth had a significant influence on Macbeth resulting in him killing King Duncan, and in the end bringing about his own downfall.
Macbeth himself played the largest role in his own downfall. Although both the witches and Lady Macbeth play a part in it, Macbeth ultimately takes action and commits the murder of King Duncan and then everyone who is a threat to his crown. Despite being described as a courageous and noble war hero by the injured captain in Act 1, evil thoughts were prevalent in his mind. This is visible by his quote "Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires". This shows he is ashamed of his evil thoughts, and proves he had these thoughts before Lady Macbeth's interference. This is further proven when he sees the vision of a dagger in his mind and then quotes "Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; and such an instrument I was to use". This shows that he was already going to kill King Duncan with a dagger. Macbeth also fails