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Downfall of Macbeth


He is reluctant at first to murder the king, showing his morals are still intact. Macbeth says, "Prithee peace! I dare do all that may become a man, who dares do more is none" (289). Macbeth is saying that he is a man, but killing does not prove you are one. Initially, Macbeth is a brave and heroic man who fights for his country. Eventually, he is torn between desire and conscience resulting in reluctance to kill Duncan, the King.
             The craving for power makes Macbeth's ambition grow, leaving him on the side of desire, rather than conscience. Lady Macbeth begins to plan Duncan's murder with Macbeth's consent. Before committing the heinous crime, Macbeth encounters an imaginary dagger before him and questions whether it is real or a trick of the mind. At this point he can still tell what is real or imaginary, showing his mind is not fully deteriorated. Earlier on Macbeth shows he is still doubtful of killing Duncan by asking, "If we should fail" (290). Lady Macbeth reassures him with her confidence and forces him to gain back his courage enough to kill Duncan. With the baneful deed done, his mask of confidence grows thin, and his guilty conscience shows through. Macbeth feels remorse and when Macduff and Lennox knock at his castle's door he says, "Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would though couldst" (299). Macbeth is feeling remorse for his shameful deed and it is showing through by him saying he wishes Duncan were awake. His conscience forgotten, his mind slowly deteriorates, as he can no longer distinguish between reality and imaginary. Macbeth says, "Me thought I heard a voice cry "sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep"" (298). He does not realize that his mind has imagined this and it deeply disturbs him. Macbeth's mind has slowly deteriorated although he still feels remorse for his heinous crime of killing the King.
             With Duncan out of the way, Macbeth attains the crown as well as the power along with it.


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