In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, there are three key factors that contribute to Macbeth's downfall. These factors are the prediction foretold by the 3 witches to Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's strong influence over her husband and, most important of all, Macbeth's ambition and hunger for power which all lead him down to despair and ultimately death. These three factors have one root - evil. At the very beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave and …showed first 75 words of 1053 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1053 total…of a girl. Hence horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence!" However, it is, in the end, Macbeth's ambition, which leads to his downfall. He is determined to stay King of Scotland and maintain his status, and he dies fighting for this, at the hands of Macduff. These three things, the prophecy, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's ambition are all derived from evil, and linked together they perform the task of bringing Macbeth down until his tragic death.