MACBETH AS THE PERPETRATOR OF THEIR DOWNFALL
While weighing between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we look at the nature and character of the villains. Lady Macbeth’s personality makes her the most likely person responsible for their downfall in the play. Many people may argue for Macbeth being guilty based on gender and his official status in society. It would be imprudent to rule out the responsibility played by Lady Macbeth. The two characters can be compared to a puppet and a puppet master. The puppetMacbeth is of no use unless the master Lady Macbeth pulls strings, thus why Lady Macbeth carries more blame.
The nature of Lady Macbeth was tainted with a woman driven by ambition. When she plans to murder Duncan, her character becomes clear on what she is willing to do (Temptation, Sin, and the Human condition in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Maria Cusimano).
The character analysis of Lady Macbeth portrays her as a vindictive woman whose ambition and greed that leaves her hands with blood. The character of Lady Macbeth shows a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants (Lady Macbeth Character analysis, Lee Jamieson). Macbeth, on the other hand, continually has doubts about their actions, but due to the controlling nature of his wife, he falls into playing her bids. Lady Macbeth’s character is of a destructive woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Many may counter and argue that Macbeth must be of the same nature, but Lady Macbeth’s ambition greatly influenced Macbeth’s desire for the through. In the book, it is evident that the witches control Macbeth; therefore, he is not of sound mind in his decisions. He is also remorseful after killing the king (Macbeth 36), but the same is not said of Lady Macbeth (Macbeth and the nature of evil, Elaine Pilkington). Macbeth is compelled by his wife’s ruthlessness to act as he does.
In conclusion, while both parties are guilty of their downfall, Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness, ambition, and greed is ultimately the reason for their destruction.