Macbeth by William Shakespeare

The play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare is full of tragic events. The first of these tragic events is the death of King Duncan of Scotland early in the play. The person who killed the King happens to be the main character, Macbeth, who just returned victorious from battle and was named the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth killed Duncan for one simple purpose, to be the uncontested King of Scotland. He is told by the Weird Sisters that if he kills Duncan and Banquo’s family that there would be nobody left in his way and he would be king. The Weird Sisters tell him this truth, that he is next in line to be king if he kills Duncan and his sons, however it is only Macbeth’s choice in this very dramatic decision. Also, when he tells his wife about this prophecy she inputs extreme influence into the situation telling Macbeth that he should do it. However, even with the external factors like the Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth, in the end Macbeth is to blame for the repeated tragic events due to his lack of self-control when faced with this controversial situation.

The tragedy begins early on in the play with the dubious prophecy told by the Weird Sisters. After just returning from battle Macbeth suddenly has three Weird Sisters approach him and say, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter” (I, 3, 50). This statement bewilders Macbeth at first, but he soon realizes that what the Weird Sisters said could be true. Macbeth knows that he is the closest living relative to King Duncan and that if he dies the throne will be his. The Weird Sisters are not to blame for what tragic events came from this prophecy, rather they simply placed the thought into Macbeth’s mind. It is he who chose to kill Duncan and Banquo, it is Macbeth who chose his destiny. Macbeth had absolute control over himself in the situation and is the sole reason why these tragic events occurred. It was his own selfish ambition to be King of Scotland that caused him to do such horrendous deeds