It is often easier for people to blame their misfortune on fate or something else that is not their fault, rather than taking responsibility for the responsibility for their actions. In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the play focuses on Macbeth, from his dubious rise to power to his drastic fall from grace. This raises the question of whether Macbeth's rise and fall was brought about by his own actions or simply by the fate to which he was predestined. Throughout the play, Macbeth believes that what is happening is simply his destiny come to life. Shakespeare introduces many themes in Macbeth, but the one that seems to present itself more than others is that Macbeth is doomed not by fate, but by a flaw in his character. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay To begin with, Macbeth's flaws begin to emerge more and more as the play unfolds. He, who was once a brave soldier and respected man, becomes a paranoid shell of himself. Paranoia is a flaw that becomes very evident from the beginning of the play. His paranoia first manifests itself when there is a knock at the castle after Duncan's murder. Macbeth exclaims: “Where did this blow come from? “How do I feel when every noise revolts me? Whose hands are here? Ha! They gouge out my eyes. Will the ocean of great Neptune wash this blood from my hand? No, my hand will rather incarnate the countless seas, turning the green red. Basically explaining that every noise gets his attention and he can't stay still. Moreover, his hands, which he cannot recognize because of the action they have just performed, are for him covered in blood that even the sea could not wash away. Almost instantly after the murder, he begins to experience what will soon become a complete psychological breakdown that will lead to his downfall. His paranoia only begins to affect the lives of innocents after King Duncan's body is discovered in the castle. Lennox explains that it was apparently the guards who killed Duncan when Macbeth says, "Oh, yet I repent of my fury, that I slew them." » Macbeth was only supposed to kill Duncan, the death of the guards was because Macbeth feared that if he left the guards his plan would be foiled and in a moment of frenzy he killed the guards. Immediately, he ignores the original plan and begins a cycle of bloodshed that is only just beginning. Macbeth continues and begins to completely succumb to paranoia. Furthermore, although Macbeth lacks confidence in his own actions and questions himself in most situations where a choice must be made, he does not lack ambition. Ambition, while it can be a desirable trait, can also cause someone to give in to their darker temptations. Being ambitious must be balanced with the same caution and reasoning. Giving in to ambition without being reasonable and aware of the possible consequences can lead to irreversible effects. Macbeth himself makes it clear to the audience that he has ambitions that he cannot control. While questioning whether assassinating the king is the right choice, he says: "I have no goad to prick the sides of my intention, but only a hunched ambition, which oversteps itself and falls upon the other." » He compares himself to someone who cannot spur his horse to make it go faster. That only his ambition carries him and will make him try to jump, but will end up falling. In this case, that means he can't seem to commit the guilt-free murders (cutting the horse), but he still commits the murders (jumping attempt) and later pays the price of ?.