The one thing that all of Shakespeare's plays have in common is a tragic conclusion, which results in the death of the hero. What's unique about the deaths of these heroes is that all the problems that led them to the end are self-induced. The heroes are always in control and make crucial errors in judgment that ultimately lead to their own demise. While it is clear that the hero Macbeth brings about his own death in this famous play, there are also third-party influences that push him towards this end. The three witches instill a desire for power and growing confidence in Macbeth, while Lady Macbeth eventually persuades him to take the path of violence and kill King Duncan in order to take his place on the throne. These actions highlight the women in the play as those most influential in the development of the plot and Macbeth's demise. The three witches essentially lay the foundation for the plot of the play in the prophecy they present to Macbeth. Before meeting him, they already know how the Scottish Civil War is progressing and how it will end. Because...