In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the downfall of the character Macbeth is brought about by a number of factors. Macbeth's over ambition and guilt, the influence of Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth and the influence of witches and their prophecies, are all significant reasons for Macbeth's downfall. A strong idea that runs throughout the whole play is that of the need for the natural order to be restored once it has been disturbed. Macbeth is a tragic hero, and when he gains some regretful insight into the world around him, he inevitably dies.
Macbeth's ambition is a vital characteristic, which leads him to the murder of his King and all who stand in the way of his ascension to the throne. This is very much linked to the witches prophecies and Macbeth being partial to what they foresaw. Macbeth admits his over ambition in the lines, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other."" (Act 1, Scene 7, lines 25-28) When the witches tell Macbeth about his future, he is initially cautious, but also curious. He wants to know more about these prophecies and he questions the witches, "Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more - (Act 1, Scene 3, line 73) Spurred on by his curiosity, Macbeth visits the witches again and interrogates them for information; " I conjure you, by that which you profess, howe'er you come to know it, answer me ."" (Act 4, Scene 1, lines 50-51) The over ambition of Macbeth and the way in which he let the influences of the witches and their prophecies add to this, partly contributed to his downfall.
The influence of Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth, sways Macbeth into making fundamental decisions throughout the play. This ties in a great deal with Macbeth's guilt and how Lady Macbeth is able to keep her husband nave, but she herself eventually drowns in shame. Lady Macbeth is a cruel woman and when she hears about the witches' prophecies about Macbeth in a letter, she fears that he is too good to do the deed that is needed to be done.
