The Demise of Macbeth

            One of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies is Macbeth. It is also recognized as a Scottish play mainly because of its Scottish background and because it is based on the life of the real King Macbeth of Scotland. In this play, the protagonist, Macbeth, is caught in an exceedingly quick downfall. At the start of the play, Macbeth is introduced as the loyal and honorable Thane of Glamis. He is a military hero who has devoted his life to protecting his king and his country. However, throughout the play, Macbeth's character drastically changes, a consequence of many different factors. Between the influences of both the witches and his wife, it is Macbeth's ambition that eventually leads him to his tragic demise.
             Since the start of the play, Lady Macbeth is shown as an ambitious woman who can manipulate Macbeth very easily. In Act 1, Lady Macbeth states, "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear" (1.5.25), meaning that she wants to use her evil influence to convince Macbeth to act against Duncan. Even though she is not the only causing factor, Lady Macbeth plays a considerable role in the downfall of Macbeth. She primarily pushes him to do that which he would not be able to do on his own. Macbeth, himself, is very determined and ambitious, but Lady Macbeth believes that he is not willing to do what it takes to achieve his goals. Lady Macbeth is even more ambitious. At first, he refuses to kill Duncan, however, she pressures him and eventually gets him to kill Duncan. At one point, Lady Macbeth even wishes that she was 'unsexed' of her feminine qualities so she can murder Duncan herself. As a result, she passes on her need for power and ambition onto Macbeth. Once more she accomplishes this through manipulation. At one point when Macbeth is disagreeing with her plan of killing Duncan, she puts into doubt his manliness, "Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valor as thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, and letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' the adage?" (1.