What causes the downfall of MacBeth?

There are many factors that can be argued to cause the downfall of Macbeth; the first being his hubris (fatal flaw): “vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”. This, Macbeth himself states, is the only impetus behind his desire to kill Duncan. This ambition lies dormant until the witches promise that he will be “king hereafter”, a statement which manifests in a murderous action plan. The murderous path Macbeth embarks on as a result of the prophecy can be said to cause his downfall as “blood will have blood” – eventually Macbeth must pay for his crimes.

To this extent, the downfall of Macbeth can be attributed to the duplicity of the witches. Through their equivocation they lull Macbeth into a false sense of security, as he believes no one “borne of woman” can hurt him. Unbeknown to him, Macduff was born through caesarean section and thus not “borne” so much as “taken” from woman. This lack of access to the entire truth sees Macbeth eventually killed; a sentiment epitomised by Banquo’s wise words that foreshadow the eventual fate of the play’s namesake:

The instruments of darkness tell us truths
Win us with honest trifles
To betray’s in deepest consequence

Therefore the downfall of Macbeth can be attributed to the deceitful, scheming witches, and perhaps even circumstance, as this puts him in their path.

Furthermore, his wife does not help him along the way. Her mockery of his manliness “when you durst do it then you were a man” forces him to act to retain her affection. She persuades him to act through emotional manipulation, following his declaration that “we will proceed no further in this business” and can thus be said to play a key role in the downfall of Macbeth.

There is also evidence to suggest that the play Macbeth is a means by which Shakespeare can explore ideas about psychological evil and mania; from Macbeth declaring that he “hath murdered sleep” it can be said that Macbeth begins his 'downfall'. As his physical health deteriorates his choices grow increasingly questionable – from hiring murderers to kill his best friend and his son, to the murder of Macduff’s innocent wife and babes. Perhaps, therefore, one reason for the downfall of Macbeth is his own mental health. The idea of mania is epitomised in “is this a dagger which I see before me?” and is a credible explanation as to why the “brave and noble Macbeth” is reduced to merely a “dead butcher” by the plays conclusion.