· Discuss the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and consider to what extent she is responsible for his downfall.
             The tragic downfall of Macbeth was not determined by one single cause but
             rather caused by a combination of three dark forces: supernatural, external and internal. The three witches and their dark powers represent the supernatural forces. Lady Macbeth acts as Macbeth's external force, pushing him towards the bloody deeds. Macbeth's own ambition and inner desires are the internal forces he battles and they act as the deciding power in bringing him to his downfall.
             The play begins with an indication that supernatural forces are to be involved.
             Three witches are preparing a surprise for Macbeth, a surprise that will ultimately cost him his life. The witches' predictions play a major role in leading Macbeth to the evil deeds he commits. The witches are the first to unleash his "black and deep desires" by predicting he would be in possession of the crown in the near future. The three sisters trick Macbeth into thinking that it is his fate to be king by promising him the title of 'Thane of Cawdor' and fulfilling this promise. After this almost impossible prediction becomes a reality Macbeth decides that he should become king as well. His royal ambition and dreams begin to cloud over his better judgement. He is convinced that "Two truths were told. As happy prologues to the swelling act. Of the imperial theme." The dark forces "win him with honest trifles to betray in deepest consequence."
             After the witches awaken Macbeth's desires of becoming King, his wife begins to push him towards the act of murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth thinks she knows exactly what Macbeth wants--to become king--and decides that it is up to her to 'support' him aggressively. At the very beginning of the play, the relationship between Macbe
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