Macbeth’s Downfall

How far would you go to achieve your goal? Ambition, guilt, and manipulation are Macbeth’s tragic flaws and he does everything he can do to achieve his true desires, which leads him to his tragic flaw.
Ambition is one of the reasons that Macbeth reaches his goal of becoming king; however, it is also his ultimate tragic flaw. “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other” (1.7.25-28). This quote means that ambition is what is motivating him to achieve his goal.

His guilt is another major tragic flaw and this caused hallucination and lack of sleep. He thought, “methought, I heard a voice cry, sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” (1.3.82-85). His consequences for killing Duncan are nightmares causing no sleep.

Lady Macbeth and the witches played a massive role in Macbeth’s downfall by manipulating him to sinful deeds and starting his temptations of becoming king. Lady Macbeth emphasizes, “when you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more that what you were you would be so much more the man” (1.7.54-56). Lady Macbeth is testing Macbeth’s manhood and is hurting his pride by saying this. The witches directed him into the immoral and corrupt path by stating the prophecies, “all hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter” (1.3.50-54). The witches fooled Macbeth on purpose and triggered his evil side to come out.

In conclusion, Macbeth’s tragic flaws destroyed everything he worked so hard for. Ambition, guilt and manipulation are Macbeth's tragic flaws.