In the play Macbeth, Macbeth undoubtedly chose the path of evil and destruction. He chose evil at the highest level by killing Duncan, and ordering the death of Banquo and Macduff's family. However, not only does he have himself to blame, but also Lady Macbeth, who encourages his evil, and the witches, who lure Macbeth and whet his ambitions. .
Macbeth is first lured by the witches at the beginning of the play, with their prophecy, "All hail, Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter." Macbeth is rapt with this, and questions them further, but the witches refuse, giving him no details of when and how Macbeth will become king. This puts Macbeth in an uneasy mindset, and is too obsessed with the idea to abandon it. The witches also set up suspicion between Macbeth and Banquo by proclaiming that Banquo "shalt get kings, though thou be none", which eventually leads to the murder of Banquo by Macbeth's instruction, in an attempt to destroy any possibility of Banquo's sons becoming king. .
Later on, the witches toy with Macbeth again. After having become king and eliminating Banquo, Macbeth's mind is so "full of scorpions" that he demands answers from the witches. He receives three answers in the form of apparitions. The first tells him to "beware Macduff". The second tells him that "none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth", which seems like a direct contradiction to the first. The third apparition reveals that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him," a happening that seems clearly impossible. The witches also show dramatically how Banquo's descendents will indeed become king. Again, this disturbs him, as he is confused as to whom or what he should fear- the witches warn him of Macduff and shows him the Banquo dynasty, yet paints a picture of an invincible Macbeth, giving him a false sense of security. .
Lady Macbeth is also to blame for Macbeth's demise.
