The term tragedy is defined as “A terrible/ heart wrenching, unexpected loss.” Unfortunately, tragedies occur in our society every day. In literature, a tragedy is when a character’s fatal flaws lead them to their own downfall and destruction. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a ripple effect from Macbeth’s willingness to be influenced by outside forces, revealing his fatal flaws of unchecked ambition and overconfidence, which lead him to his downfall.
Being human, everyone has their personal flaws. People with the fatal flaw of unchecked ambition, spurred by their willingness to listen to outside sources, leads them to their tragedy. To begin, when people are easily encouraged and influenced by external sources, they lose control of their ambition. In the case of Macbeth, the witches’ prophecies easily influenced his actions. The first witch declares, “All hail Macbeth… Thane of Glamis,” and the second witch adds, “Hail to thee Thane of Cawdor” with the third witch concluding, “that shall be king hereafter” (Shakespeare, 1.3.47-49). The words of the witches strongly disturb Macbeth. Although, the idea is planted in his mind. The fact is, Macbeth is influenced by this outside source. This is clear as Macbeth continues to think about the prophecy self-consciously. If he were genuinely appalled by their words, he would have left it behind him, but he holds it tight. This makes it clear that ambition is taking over as Macbeth’s actions begin to reflect his hunger for the throne. Next, once people lose control of their ambition, it causes them to commit acts of pure evil. Macbeth’s unchecked ambition becomes so strong he admits, “I have no spur/ To prick the side of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition which o’ erleaps itself” (1.7.25-27). Macbeth is admitting that he has unchecked ambition and identifies that it is o’er leaping. By using this word, it explains how Macbeth’s uncontrolled ambition is continuously growing stronger and becoming out of control. He continues to state, “If it were done when ’tis done, then twere well/ It were done quickly” (1.7.1-2). This signifies that Macbeth’s ambition has o’ erleaped so far he is developing from honourable to evil. As a result of his development, he has become comfortable with the treasonous act of betraying his country and killing the king. Finally, people who commit acts of evil create their own destruction. Immediately following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth reflects upon his actions and says, “But wherefore count not I pronounce ‘Amen'” (2.2.42). Macbeth realizes that he has created his destruction. The words of Macbeth make transparent that he understands his actions are so wrong he is no longer able to say a holy word of his religion. This makes it clear that Macbeth reflects upon his actions and how they have begun his downfall. Clearly, due to Macbeth seeking the help of outside sources, it leads him to lose control of his unchecked ambition and results in his tragedy.
The future always remains a mystery. People who seek out knowledge of the future become overconfident and lead themselves to their own destruction. First, when people are worried and unsure of their future, they seek out the help of outside sources to answer their questions. When Macbeth is lost and worried about his future and what will happen next, he demands of the witches, “I conjure you by that which you profess,/Howe’er you come to know it, answer me… Answer me what I ask of you” (4.1.49-60). Macbeth becomes so desperate for answers he will do anything to get them. By returning to the witches and demanding answers, it shows his insecurities of the future and how unsure he indeed has become. Additionally, Macbeth’s fear has become so strong that he is vulnerable to the manipulation of what the outside sources tell him. Next, once people have obtained their desired knowledge they become overconfident in their situation. Macbeth says Comfortably, “Bring me no more reports, let them fly all;/Till Birnam wood removed to Dunsinane,/I cannot taint with fear” (5.3.1-3). This portrays how confident Macbeth is, and how much trust he holds in the witches. After receiving the apparition’s message of the safety of his throne, Macbeth’s actions portray that he has become overconfident in their words. By Macbeth saying bring me no more reports, it shows that until the impossible happens he considers himself safe from harm. Finally, when people are overconfident in their situation they become underprepared and it results in their defeat. Macbeth says, “If thou speak’ st false/ Upon the next tree shall thou hang… now a wood/ comes toward Dunsinane. Arm, arm and out!… At least we’ll die with harness on our back” (5.5.37-51). The fact that the forest is marching to the Dunsinane shocks Macbeth and catches him off guard. His expression of frustration towards the messenger portrays his overconfidence. Macbeth is overconfident; in thinking it would be impossible for a forest to move. As a result, Macbeth is underprepared for this attack. Macbeth is pushing closer to his defeat and realizes this by saying at least we will die with harness on our back. In conclusion, due to Macbeth seeking out knowledge of the future from an outside source, he became overconfident in his situation and resulted in his defeat.
There is a ripple effect from Macbeth’s willingness to be influenced by outside forces, revealing his fatal flaws of unchecked ambition and overconfidence, which lead him to his own downfall in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Everyone has their own fatal flaws, but they only fall to their destruction if they let their flaws define them.