Macbeth, a classical tragedy by Shakespeare not only deals with the malicious deeds and destruction of over ambitious Lady Macbeth and Macbeth but also focuses on the fact that if one falls a victim to one’s irrational desires then it leads to one’s own downfall. As the title suggests, the play revolves around two major characters- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was a general who got convinced by his wife Lady Macbeth and agreed to murder king Duncan so that he could become the king. Moreover, Macbeth was assured by the prophesy made by three witches that he will become the king. Hence, he supported by his wife, contrived against king Duncan and murdered him and became the king. But as it is truly said’ what you sow, so shall you reap’, same happens with Macbeth as he met the sad fate and was not happy even after being crowned.
The play not only shows that malice is short lived and contrivance is not the right way of achieving something as it leads to death and destruction. This play also throws light on vices like perjury and perfidy which are responsible for the downfall of Macbeth. The images used by the writer are also very significant. The words uttered by witches that’fair is foul and foul is fair’ show the vices which are inherent in people who are malicious and perfidious. The play is also significant as it possesses all the characteristics of a tragedy.
Thus, it can be said that it not only reveals about the irrational desires of an individual which are the root cause of the tragic fate but also enables the readers to understand that perjury, perfidy and irrational desires lead to one’s downfall.