Duncan and Macbeth's downfall in Shakespeare's play Macbeth results from their reluctance to question the motives and actions of others. It was that absolute trust, believing that no one would try to rise up against them, that foreshadows the murders of both characters. Duncan, the first to fall prey to over-confidence, trusted the Thane of Cawdor completely until he discovered that the Thane was a traitor who was betraying him. In Macbeth's case, he believed …showed first 75 words of 788 total…

…showed last 75 words of 788 total…As for Macbeth, he was unaware that his actions were being dictated by the witches and thought that he was in control of his life. In a relentless attempt to stay alive, Macbeth also accepted the apparitions without question which brought about his defeat by Macduff. Macbeth and Duncan were both self-centered, proud individuals who allowed their fates to be placed in the hands of others and paid for their mistakes with their own blood.