Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

MacbethasATragicHero

ThecharacterofMacbethisaclassicexampleofaShakespeareantragicheroTherearemany factorsthatcontributetothecharacterofMacbethofwhichthreewillbediscussed.Macbethisa typicaltragicherothroughhispersonality,actions,andqualities.

OneofMacbeth'straitsthatevoketheideaofatragicheroisthatheisworthyofthereader's interestAtragicheromustbeworthyofreader'sinterest,concern,orsympathyMacbethshows thisthroughhisbravery.InthebeggingoftheplayabattlegoesonbetweenKingDuncanof ScotlandandMacdonwaldofNorway.MacbethfightsbravelyonScotland'sside,andheevenkilled Macdonwaldhimself(IIi9–23)showmorecontent

AccordingtoCorleyOlson,"Partofbeingatragicheroispossessingaflaw.Thisflawmust inevitablyleadtoself–destruction,thefallofthetragichero"(15).Oneofhisflawsishisweakness tobepersuadedbyothers.LadyMacbethconvincedherhusbandthathewasn'tamanunlesshe wentthroughwiththemurderofDuncan.Shethreatenshismanhoodbysaying,"Whenyoudurstdo it,thenyouwereaman;/Andtobemorethanwhatyouwere,youwould/Besomuchmorethe man"(ActI.vii,49–51).Macbeth'sambitionisalsoamajorflaw.DuringtheplayMacbeth's ambitionbroughthimtoachievehisgoalsbutastheplayevolves,itforcedhimtofacehisfate.His ambitionledhimtobecomegreedy,violent,andpowerhungry.CorleyOlsonalsowrites,"Macbeth isconfrontedwiththesupernaturalandprophecyofbecomingking.Asthisflawalsoincludeshis weaknessthroughoverambition

OneofMacbeth'sfeaturesthateducetheideaofatragicheroishisstupendousaffectontheother charactersinthisplayPatriciaHammondwritesatragicheromusthaveagreatimpactonthose aroundhim(114).ThereadercansimplyseethatMacbethinfluencesnumerouslivesthroughout thisdrama.OnefamilythatsuffersbecauseofMacbethisBanquo'swhenMacbethhiresmurderers tokillBanquo.Fleance,hisonlyson,escapestounknownparts(III,iii.

...Getmorecontent...

Mostpeoplewouldconsideraheroassomeonewhohasimpactedtheworldinapositivefashion, butdoingasinglepositiveactiondoesnotabolishallofthebaddeedsthatapersonhascommitted. Thegreatphilosopher,Aristotleclassifiesatragicherothroughtheprincipalshamartiaandhubris, meaningacharacterinadramatictragedywhoexpressesatragicflawandexcessivepride, conclusivelyleadingtotheirdownfallInthetragicplay"Macbeth"byWilliamShakespeare,the maincharacter,Macbethisaconsideredatragicherosinceherepresentstheprincipalhamartia throughhistragicflawofambitionandheexhibitstheprincipalhubristhroughhisexcessivepride.

Firstandforemost,MacbethdemonstratesthetraitofAristotle'stragicherothroughhamartia representedbyMacbeth'stragicflawambition.ThewitchesprophecyisfulfilledandMacbeth thinkstohimself"IamthaneofCawdor"andthepowerthatheretainsaskingpleaseshim(Mac. 1.3.135).Macbethreceivesaslighttasteofpower,andhesuccumbstothefeelingitgiveshim.He demandstoobtainallthepowerhecanlandhishandson,andwilldowhateverisnecessarytograsp itMacbethwantsmoreauthorityandhedaresfatetocome"intothelist,/andchampionmetoth' utterance"(Mac.3.1.72–73).Thethaneassumesthathecandefy...showmorecontent...

Humanstypicallytendtobegreedyandtakeeverythingforthierself,butMacbethgoesaboveand beyondtomakesurehisheart'sdesiresarefulfilled.Powerchangeshimintoapretentiousperson andformsaneedformorejurisdictionthatisunquenchable.Theneverendingloopofmurderthat Macbethgetstrappedincauseshisexcessiveprideandambitiontogrowleadinghimtohis downfall.Macbethisatragicherobecausehewidleymodelsatragicflawofambitionandhe displaysalargeamountofexcessivepride,causinghimtoultimatelybecome

...Getmorecontent...

Inlife,peoplewillalwaysmakewrongdecisionsandthesewrongdecisionsleadtodestructive consequences.Macbethdoesthisintheplay"Macbeth".Atragicheroisaliterarycharacterwho makesajudgmenterrorthatleadstohis/herowndestruction.Fateandexternalforcesbringonthe tragedyinatragichero'slife.AndinWilliamShakespeare'splay"Macbeth",Macbethgoesthrough situationsinhislifethatportrayhimasatragichero:hisambition,thewitchesprophecy,andLady MacbethshowthedevelopmentofMacbethasatragichero.Tostart,atragicherosuffersatragic flawandMacbethintheplay"Macbeth";ambitionisoneofhisflaws.Macbethhasjustlearnedthat MalcolmistobePrinceofCumberland,whichshowmorecontent Inthebeginningoftheplay,MacbethandBanquoencounterthewitches.Thewitchesthentell MacbeththatheistheThaneofCawdorandwillsoonbethefutureking.Macbethquestionsthe witches'prophecybecausetheThaneofCawdorisstillalivebuttheyvanishwithoutaword.Ross thenappearswithAngus(twonoblemansentbyDuncan),theydeliverMacbethamessagethatthe KingispleasedwithhissuccessinbattleandwillannouncehimthenewThaneofCawdorMacbeth isthencertainthatthewitches'prophecyistrueandmustbelievethemmore."Allfail,Macbeth,hail tothee,thaneofCawdor."Macbethbelievesthese"half–truths"becausehedesperatelywantsto becomeking.WhenMacbethseesthatthewitches'prophecyistrue,heisconvincedeverythingthey sayiscorrectsuchaswhentheytoldhimthathewillbefutureking.Macbeth'sflawinlisteningto thewitches'prophecyleadshimtohisdevelopmentasatragicheroLastlyanotherexamplewhere Macbethcarelesslylistenstothewitches'prophecyisinAct4scene1.Macbethgoestovisitthe Witchesanddemandsthattheyanswerhisquestions.Theydonotanswerhisquestionsbutinreturn givehimthreeapparitions"Macbeth!Macbeth!bewareMacduff;BewarethethanofFifeDismiss me.Enough."Thefirstapparitionisan"armedhead",thesecondapparitionisabloodychild,and thethird

...Getmorecontent...

WilliamShakespeare'splay'Macbeth'isatypicalShakespeareantragedy.WithMacbeth;the protagonistfittingthelabelthroughthecharacteristicsofwhatmakesatragicheroandnarrative pattern,thattheplayfollows,tobecategorisedasatypicalShakespeareantragedy.

Macbeth;theprotagonist,fitsthelabelofatragicherothroughthequalitiesandcharacteristicsof whatmakesatragicheroinShakespeare'stypicaltragedies."ForbraveMacbeth–wellhedeserves thatname–"asheisnowamanofhighestate,thefirstimpressionthattheaudiencehasofMacbeth isofhisgreatnessEarlyintheplay,theaudiencebecomesawareofthedrivingforce,andthe 'vaultingambition'inwhichMacbethsoonbecomesobsessivewith.Intypicaltragedies,thehero hasatragicflawwhichsoonbecomesahighlydestructiveforcewithMacbeth'sflawbeinghis obsessiveambition,hebecomesaggressiveandhecommitsregicide.Macbethspeaksofhis 'tomorrow,andtomorrow,andtomorrow'speech,wheretheaudiencefeelssomesympathyforhim, andthetragicheroismarkedasasenseofwasteIneverytypicalShakespeareantragedy,itnotonly hasatragichero,butthestructureoftheplayisunique....showmorecontent...

Atthebeginningoftheplay,Shakespearecreatestension,asenseofurgency,withtheprevious ThaneofCawdorcommittingtreasonandanewThanebeingneeded.Thetragicherothen encountersasupernaturalsuggestion,wheretheyfeedhisobsessionofambition"thatshaltbeking hereafter"Oncethesupernaturalsuggestionsgetintothehero's;Macbeth's,headtheactionsofhis aremistimed,whereMacbethactsonwhathebelievesin,bykillingthetwogroomsmenoutof 'rage'.Atthispoint,Macbeththetragichero,hasgottentothepointwhereheisathisworst,yethis bestMacbeth,thenbecomescourageousintheeyesoftheaudience,withtheturningpointinthe

"Amandoesn'tbecomeaherountilhecanseetherootofhisowndownfall."Thisisthewell–knownquotebyAristotle,theancientGreekphilosopher,aboutthepathamanmusttakein becomingatragicheroofliterature.Inhisliterarybook,"Poetics,"Aristotledescribedtheattributes ofatruetragichero.Thesewerenobility,arelatablepersonality,afatalcharacterflaw,andthe experienceofatragicfatewithagaininunderstandingfromthedownfallHebelievedthatonlyby possessingtheseattributescouldanaudiencerelatetoacharacter.Bysympathizingwiththe character,theaudiencecanexperiencenewunderstandingaboutsomepointofmorality. ShakespearefollowedAristotle'sformatinhisplay"Macbeth,"makingtheheroshowmore content...

(MacbethI,ii,15–23)

Macbethishorrifiedaboutthethoughtofmurder,demonstratingthatheisamoralperson.Thisis showninthelines: Mythought,whosemurderyetisbutfantastical, Shakessomysinglestateofman Thatfunctionissmotheredinsurmise, Andnothingisbutwhatisnot.(I,iii,142–45)

Macbethalsoshowshimselftobeloyal,whentellingKingDuncanthateverythinghedoesisin loyaltyandservicetoDuncanHesaystoDuncan: TheserviceandtheloyaltyIowe Indoingitpaysitself.Yourhighness'part Istoreceiveourduties,andourduties Aretoyourthroneandstatechildrenandservants, Whichdobutwhattheyshould,bydoingeverything Safetowardyourloveandhonor.(I,iv,23–28)

Finally,MacbethisshowntobekindwhenLadyMacbethsaystohim:[...]YetdoIfearthynature; Itistoofullo'th'milkofhumankindness

Tocatchthenearestway:thouwouldstbegreat, Artnotwithoutambition,but

...Getmorecontent...

Macbeth:ATragicHero?

ATragicHeroisacommonfigureinmanyofShakespeare'sworks.ATragicHeroisusuallya figureofroyalty,fameorgreatness.Thispersonispredominatelygood,butfallsfromprominence duetopersonalityflawsthateventuallyleadtoself–destruction

Macbeth'smajorflawsarehisambitionandimpressionability.Duetotheirflaws,aTragicHero's actionsareoftenatrociousandcausethemtobattlewiththeirconscienceaftertheirdesireshave beenaccomplishedThesebattleswiththeirconscienceevokeempathyfromtheaudienceA ShakespeareanTragicHerowillalwayslosetheirlifeintheendoftheplayasaresultofre–establishmentofwhatisgoodintheplay.InShakespeare'sMacbeth,thetitleshowmorecontent

Theywayinwhichheisaddressedbytheinfluentialmembersofhiscountryfurtherinformsthe readerthatMacbethisrespectable.However,afterMacbethinteractswiththethreewitches,his curiosityisstirredbytheirprophecies,especiallytheirpredictionthathewillbecomekingHe commitsmurderinordertofulfilltheirprophecyandthenreturnstothethreewitchesasecondtime forreassurance.Thethreewitches,withtheaidofthreeapparitions,thenrevealedtoMacbethinAct 5,Scene1thefollowingprophecies:

Macbeth!Macbeth!Macbeth!BewareMacduff!BewaretheThanofFife!...Macbeth!Macbeth! Macbeth!Bebloody,boldandresoluteLaughtoscornthepowerofman,fornoneofwomanborn shallharmMacbeth...Belion–mettled,proudandtakenocarewhochafes,whofretsorwhere conspirersare.MacbethshallnevervanquishedbeuntilGreatBirnamWoodtohighDunsinaneHill shallcomeagainsthim (Shakespeare4:180–107)

Becauseofthesepredictions,Macbethbelievesthatnoonecanharmhim.However,thisisafalse senseofsecurity.Macduff,whowasbornbyaCaesareansectionandthereforewasnotbornof woman,ultimatelykilledMacbeth,thusrevealingthatthewitchespredictionswereonlyhalf–truths Macbeth'sgoodnatureisincreasinglydefeatedbyoneofhismajorflaws–ambition.Hisambition anddesiretobecomekingleads

...Getmorecontent...

Oneofthecharacteristicsofatragicheroishamartia,meaningafatalflaw,andMacbeth'sfatalflaw isambition.OnetimewhenheshowsthistraitiswhenhefindsoutMalcolmisthenewPrinceof Cumberland.Sofarinthestory,Macbethhaswontwobattles,oneagainstMacdonwaldandone againsttheNorwegians.Then,heandBanquoreceivedthewitches'prophecies.Rightafter,oneof themcametruewhenMacbethbecamethenewThaneofCawdorgivingMacbethhopethathe couldalsobeking.Thiswaswherehisambitionstarted.After,DuncanannouncedthatMalcolm wasgoingtobethenewPrinceofCumberland.ThisisaportionofMacbeth'ssoliloquy:

"ThePrinceofCumberland:thatisastep

InWilliamShakespeare'sMacbeth,Macbethisaclassicexampleofatragicherowhoisconstantly strugglingwithhisfate.IntheopeningsceneoftheplayMacbethreceivesaprophecyfromthree witches.TheyproclaimthathewillbethethaneofCawdor.Herespondsbysaying,"BySinel's deathIknowthatIamthaneofGlamis/buthowofCawdor"(I,iii,70–73)?Atfirst,hedoesnot realizetoearnthistitlewhathemustdo,butwhenherealizesheistakenabackHisbewilderment prefigureshisperpetualstrugglewithhisfate.Macbethalsoisexcessivelyambitiouswhich constantlyaffectshimthroughouttheplay.Heistoodeterminedtobecomekingandwillkill anyonetoensurethatthiswilltranspireMacbeth'sstruggleandshowmorecontent AlthoughMacbethhashisdoubts,hegoesthroughwithhisimmoralplan.Hehallucinatesandseesa bloodydaggerasaresultofhisguiltyconscience."Macbeth'semotionsarethestrugglesof conscience;hisagoniesaretheagoniesofremorse.Theyarelessonsofjustice,andwarningsto innocence"(Montagu).Strugglingwithhisfate,Macbethisactingasaclassictragichero.Afterthe violentmurderoftheKing,MacbethiscompletelydefiledHeusestreacheryandwillextirpate anyonewhoposesathreattohim.ThisisclearlydemonstratedwhenMacbethrevealshisplanto killBanquo.AccordingtoThomasThrasher,"Macbethcontinuesonhismurderouscourseofaction becauseheisdeterminedtoholdthecrown"(77).ThemurderofBanquoprovesthistobetrue, becauseitexposesMacbeth'sdraconiannature.MacbethhiresmurdererstokillBanquoandhisson, Fleance,becausetheyappeartobeathreattohimAccordingtothewitches'prophecyadescendent ofBanquowouldbecomethenextking.Macbeth'sobsessionwiththewitches'prophecyresultsin themurderofBanquo.ThemurderofBanquoillustratesdifferentcharacteristicsofMacbeth's personalityAnexampleofthisisthechangeinLadyMacbeth'sinfluenceinherhusband'saffairs AtfirstshehelpedMacbethplanthemurderofthekingandinsultedhismanhoodwhenhebeganto havedoubts.WhenMacbethdecidestokillBanquo,oddlyLadyMacbeth

...Getmorecontent...

InShakespeare's'Macbeth,thetitularcharacterMacbethisatragicherobasedonthedescriptionof onebyAristotle.Hedisplaystheabilitytobegoodandnoble,hehasandevenunderstandsaflaw withinhimselfandhisflaweventuallyleadstohisdownfall,orremovalofhighstatus.Shakespeare createsMacbethasatragicstoryandtheplayfeaturesamaincharacterthathasallthetraitsofa tragicprotagonistthatfallsfromgrace

Atthebeginningoftheplay,itisshownthatMacbethisaheroicperson.Heisrespectedbythe wholeofScotlandandeventheKingtakesnoticeofhim.HispatrioticdeedshadledtoKing Duncanbeingquitefondofhim,ashedevelopsarespectforhisfightingskillsDuncanexclaims"O valiantcousin!WorthyGentleman!"(1.2.24)whenhehearsofMacbeth'ssuccessinbattleagainst therebelsfightingtheKing'sarmy.HisloyalfightingfortheRoyalsideisrewarded,asKing Duncansoongiveshimthetitle:ThaneofCawdor.ThisrewardshowsthehighstandingMacbeth has.Heisanobleman,withanoblecauseatthispointintheplay,andisnotonlyhighlyrespected byhispeersbutevidentlybyhishigherupsShakespearemakesthisknownbyhavingthemost powerfulpersoninthecountryrevealhisloveand...showmorecontent...

Hesays"Infectedbetheairwhereontheyride,Anddamnedallthosethattrustthem!"(4.1.138–139),referringtothewitchesthatheoncetrusted.Thesebeings,whogaveMacbeththeprophecy thathewouldbeking,areasymbolofthesupernatural,meaningtheyhaveknowledgebeyondeven thepowerfulMacbethMacbethcursingthosethattrustthesewitches,asheoncedid,showsthe aggressivemindsetandunapologeticmindsethesettlesinto.Thisleadstohisdownfall,ashe himself,fittinglyandironically,becomes"damned"andisdefeatedby

...Getmorecontent...

Macbeth-TragicHero

Fromwarherototragicherolet'sjourneythroughthedownfallofMacBeth.Thetermtragichero usuallyfollowsamaincharacterwhohasaverypowerfulroleinadrama.Thisprestigiousroleis alwayscursedwithaflawthatleadstohisorherdemise.Theflawcansometimesbearegretful decisionthatthecharacterhasnocontrolover.Oncetheflawisrevealedtohimorhertheplotis usuallytoounbearableforthetragicherotoavoidInShakespeare'sPlayMacBeththewitches prophecy,LadyMacBeth,andMacBeth'sambitionitselfplayaroleinMacBeth'sdownfall. MacBethseeswhathisfutureholdsandcompromiseshisnobilityandhonortomakehisfuturea realityprematurelyThisflawcanbediagnosedasuncheckedambitionIntheshowmorecontent MacBethslowlyseeshislifefallingapartinfrontofhim,hebecameking,killedhisbestfriendto preservehiscrown,killedMacDuff'sfamilytosilencethethreats,andwithoutrealizinghisaction leadhisdearwifetokillherself.MacBethmayhaveacquiredeverythinganymancouldeverwant buttohimthatwasn'tenough.Alwayscravingmorehelethisambitionbehisdownfall.Througha grittybattleintheendoftheplayMacBethmeetsdefeatforthefirsttimeinhislifewhenhebattles theunnaturalbirthedMacDuff.AmbitiongaveMacBeththeworldbutalsotookhis

...Getmorecontent...

MacBeth

IntheplayMacbethbyWilliamShakespeare,thecharacterofMacbethisdiscoveredtobeaclassic exampleofatragichero.Macbethisaveryambitiousandcourageouspersonwholetsthreemain thingsturnhimintoaviolentindividual.Twoofthepoints,whichmostgreatlycontributeto Macbeth'sfall,aretheprophecy,whichweretoldtohimbythewitches,andhowLadyMacbeth influencedandmanipulatedMacbeth'sjudgment.Thesetwofactorsalongwithhistremendous ambitiontobekingiswhatcausedhimtofallfromanoblemanwhowasloyaltohiskingtoa violentmanwhowouldkillhiskingtobecomeking!

Theprophecies,whichweretoldbythewitches,wasoneofthefactorsthatcontributedtothefallof hisshowmorecontent

LadyMacbethplaysanimportantroleinthisplaybecausesheprovidedascheme,whichallows MacbethachancetoassassinateKingDuncan.AfterMacbethhadkilledKingDuncan,helater regretsonhiswrongdoings,becauseatthispointMacbeth'sconsciencestillhassomesayinwhat Macbethdoes.Macbeth'sfirstmurderwasatryingexperienceforhim,howeverafterthefirst murder,killingseemedtobetheonlysolutiontomaintainhisreignofthepeopleofScotland.That ishowLadyMacbethhadpartinthedisintegrationofMacbethcharacter.WithoutLadyMacbeth, MacbethmaynothavehadenoughcouragetopursueonhismissiontokillDuncan. Macbeth'sambitionalsoinfluencedhisdownfallHowever,Macbeth'sambitionhadnotbeenstrong enoughtocarrythemotivetokillKingDuncan.LadyMacbeth'sinfluencealsocomesintoplay becauseifnotforLadyMacbeth,hisambitionwouldnothavebeenstrongenoughtodrivehimto obtainandmaintainhistitleofKingofScotlandnomatterwhatittook,evenifitmeantmurder Macbeth'sambitionblindedhimofthemoralthingtodoandhisconsciencenolongerhadanysay inwhatMacbethdidtomaintainhisthrown.Theseeventstakingplaceinhislifecausedustoseea newsideofMacbeth.ThisnewsideofMacbethcontainedgreed,violence,andpowerhunger. Macbethillustratesthissideuntilthelastactwhenhesays,"thatkeepthewordofpromisetoour ear,and

...Getmorecontent...

Macbethisbothaprotagonistandaherointhisplay.Morespecifically,Macbethisatragichero. TheEducerelessonexplainsthecriteriaforatragichero,andMacbethmeetsallthiscriteria. Macbeth,"istheprotagonist,hascentralflaws,theaudiencefeelsbothempathyanddislikeforhim, andhehasamomentofself–understandingbeforehisdeath.{{Eachparagraphmustcontain5–7 sentences}}

{{Transitionneededhere.}}Macbethisgenerallyagoodperson,butambitionishismainflaw.His ambitionissostrong,heoftenactslikehehasnochoicebuttodowhateverisnecessarytoreachhis goal.InAct1,Scene3,hestates,

"Mythought,whosemurderyetisbutfantastical, Shakessomysinglestateofman Thatfunctionissmother'd

...Getmorecontent...

     AShakespeareantragicherostartsoutasanobleperson;a greatexceptionalbeingwhostandsout.Atragicherohasatragicflawofanexaggeratedtraitthat leadstotheirdownfallandeventuallytodeath.WilliamShakespeareoftenmadehismaincharacters tragicheroesinhisplays.InShakespeare'sMacbeth,theroleofthetragicheroisgiventothemain character:MacbethThisisbecausehestartsoffasaloyalandwelllikedmaninthebeginning,but hasatragicflawofambitionwhichultimatelyleadstohisdownfall.

     MacbethstartedoffagreatandnoblemanofScotlandandwas honouredbythekingandhispeopleHewasthoughtofasagreatmanandbraveamongtheshow morecontent...

Sheknowsheneedsmotivation.Macbeth'sambitionwassogreatthatheoftenthoughtofkillingthe kingtobecometheking.HerecallsamomentwhenhethoughtofkillingDuncanaftertheencounter withthethreewitches."ThissupernaturalsolicitingCannotbeill;cannotbegood;ifill,Whyhathit givenmeearnestsuccess,Commencinginatruth?IamthaneofCawdor:Ifgood,whydoIyieldto thatsuggestionWhoseimagedothunfixmyhair?"(I,iii,140–145)ThisrevealsthatMacbeth's characterhasabitmoreevilinhimthanweareletontobelieve.Healsorealizesthathisambitionis makinghimgetcarriedawayanditisallhappeningrapidly."...Toprickthesidesofmyintent/but only/vaultingambition,whichdevelopsitself/andfallsontheother."(I,vii,26–28)Heknows thingsaregoingtoofastandhewantstoprocrastinatefromthedeedalittlelongerMacbeth'stragic flawofambitionultimatelyleadshimtohisdownfall.

     Macbeth'sdownfallbeginswhenhisambitiontakesoverhis conscienceandleadshimtokillKingDuncanHegetstangledupinawebofdeathandliesOnce Duncanismurdered,itonlyleadstomoreruthlesscrimescommittedbyMacbethagainsthisloved ones.HefeelstheneedtokilloffBanquoandhissonbecausetheyknowtoomuchandarea possiblethreattohisregime."Tobethusisnothing;Buttobesafelythus:ourfearsinBanquo

...Getmorecontent...

ATragicHeroisamaincharacter(protagonist)inanyliteraturewhocomesinamiserableor unhappyending,usuallydeath(catastrophe).Theyaregenerallyapersonofimportanceinsociety, usuallymeansbeingaking,duke,prince,companyowner,etc.Intheplay,Macbeth,Macbethisthe epitomeofbeingatragicherobecauseheistheprotagonistwhocomestoanunhappyending,gets thepartofbeingking,andsuffersfromhistragicflaw:weaknessofcharacterTostartoffwith, Macbethisanexampleofatragicherobecauseofhimbeingtheprotagonist.Throughouttheplay, Macbethhadmanyqualitiesaswellassometragicflaws.Hewasacourageousandbravemanwho wasflawedbythewitchesandwithhisambitionThisallhappenedduetothepropheciesthatthe witchestoldhim,whichwasofMacbethtobeking.InAct1,Scene7,Macbethsays,"Ihaveno spur/Toprickthesidesofmyintent,butonly/Vaultingambition,whicho'erleapsitself/Andfalls onth'other."ThisdroveMacbethtocommitmurderonKingDuncanofhisdesiretobeking. Althoughhewascourageousandbraveandheisseenastheheroatthebeginningoftheplay,his overconfidencecauseshisdownfallshowmorecontent

HewasdrivenbyLadyMacbethassheconvincedherhusbandtomurderDuncanbydetermining hismasculinity.InAct1,Scene7,shesays,"Whenyoudurstdoit,thenyouwereaman;/Andtobe morethanwhatyouwere,youwouldbesomuchmoretheman."TheideaofkillingDuncanfirst camefromMacbeth.Helistenedtothewitches'propheciesthatsaidhewouldbecomeKing.Healso didn'twanttowaitanylongerandhethoughttheonlywaytobecomeKingwastokillDuncan LadyMacbethwasalsoexcitedaboutbecomingQueensoshemotivatedMacbethintodoingwhat hesaidhe'ddo.So,LadyMacbethhelpedstageaplansothatMacbethcouldkillhimwithoutbeing

...Getmorecontent...

MacbethasTragicHero

Aristotledefinedatragiccharacterisamanwho"fallsintomisfortunethroughsomeflaw."(Grube, 5)Shakespeare'stragicheroisamanwhofallsfromhispositionofhonorandrespectduetoaflaw incharacterandultimatelyarrivesatafatalend(Nostbakken,2)Macbethisanepitomeofatragic hero.Hehadagoodnature,butwasdrivenbygreedandaquestforpower.Macbethhadbeena militaryhero,lovedandpraisedbythepeople,buthisblindambitionresultedinhisdestruction,and allhispastgreatnessandhappinesswerelostThisessaywillexploreMacbeth'spathtoward destructionandshowhowhebecametheepitomeofatragichero.

Macbethwasobviouslyapatriotandshowmorecontent

Macbeth'ssteepinginthesupernaturalputhimintotragic.

LadyMacbethplayedanimportantroleinthedownfallofMacbeth'slifetoevil.Sheisawhole–heartedfiend,whoplayedamoremasculineanddecisiverolethanMacbeth.(Wain,104)Sheknew Macbethhadambitionyetfrail,soshepouredherevilspiritinhisear."Wefail?Butscrewyour couragetothestickingplaceandwe'llnotfail."(I.vii.69–71)Thisistheturningpoint,whereLady Macbethplacedherhusbandinafalsepositionbyupholdinghimtocommitthemurderdeed, (Elloway,20)anditisalsoapointthatMacbethmadehiswrongjudgementinlifetogetthethrone byevilact.Aftercommittingthemurderhecouldnotturnbackanymorefromthedarkness.The seriouserrorinhisjudgement,becametheflawinhischaracter,whichfinallyputhimselfintoa greattragic.

Macbethwasfullofcourageandbravery,yetheuseditinsinfuldeeds.HismurdertoDuncanand crownedhimselfKingwasasacrilege,(Elloway,26)buthedidnotexhibitanyremorseanddared doanythingtogetridofthosewhocouldthreatenhispowerHisnextwrongturnwastokill Banquo,ashefearedthatitwouldbeBanquo'sdescendantstosucceedtohisthroneasthewitches cursed.Hesaid,"¡Kinhis(Banquo)deathisperfect."(III.i.107)Thistimehewastotallypersistent andindependentindecisionmakingandheleftLadyMacbethignorantofhis

...Getmorecontent...

Shakespeare'sMacbethasTragicHero

Shakespeare'sMacbethfollowsthejourneyofnoblemanMacbeththatstartswithhimasThaneof GlamisandendswithhimasKingofScotland.Macbethisatragicherobecausehepossessesallthe traitsthatAristotleoutlinedinhispoeticsHesaidthatthetragicheromustbeamanthatishigher thanmortalworth,buthastragicflaws.Aristotlealsostatedthattheflawswillleadtogreat sufferingandusuallydeath;thecausebeingfate.TheflawsthatleadtoMacbeth'sdegenerationare hissenseofambition,hisrelianceonthepropheciesandhisinfluenceandmanipulationbyLady Macbeth.TheseflawscausethedownfallofMacbeth,whichevokesbothpityandfearinthe...show morecontent

Afterthemurder,hisdesire,orambitiontokeephisthroneleadshimtokillhisbestfriendBanquo becausethewitchespredictionthatBanquo'ssonwouldbecomeking.HealsokillsMacduff'sfamily becausehebelievesthatheadangertohiscrownThismurderprovestobehismostfatalerror

Macbethisanoblemanandawarriorandtherefore,itisimportantforhimtobemanlyinfrontof everyone,whichiswhyheisinsecureabouthismanhood.LadyMacbethplaysonthisinsecurity andisabletocontrolMacbeththroughthismanipulation.Shechallengeshismanhoodwhenhe decidesnottokillDuncan,saying"Whenyoudurstdoit,thenyouwereaman"(I,7,54)This pushesMacbethtokilltheKing.LadyMacbethalsochallengedhismanhoodwhenhesees Banquo'sghost,sayingthatifhewerearealman,thesightofaghostwouldnotbotherhim. "regardhimnot––Areyouaman?"(III,4,69)

Macbeth'srelianceontheprophecieswasanotherimportantfactorinthedeclineofhischaracter.If itwerenotforthewitchestellingMacbeththathewouldbeKing,hemayhaveremainedhis honorableandloyalself.Thepropheciesarousedhisambitionandstartthecorruptionofhis characterThesecondapparitionthatwasgiventoMacbethmakeshimfeelasthoughheis invinciblebecausetheapparitionstatesthatnomanbornofwomancouldharmhim,butitwasa halftruthbecausetheyalsotoldhimthatheshould

...Getmorecontent...

"what'sdonecannotbeundone."(Shakespeare5.1.71)SomeconsideredMacbethtobeahero; othersthinkheisbeyondmakinggoodagain.ThewaysMacbethmadehiswayuptopowercan neverbeundone.WhichmakesMacbethaverytragichero.

TostartMacbethwasafullyrealizedhumanbeingthanothers.Hehadheightenedpowersand destinyofaccomplishinggreatthings"Allhail,Macbeth!Hailthee,ThaneofGlamis!Allhail Macbeth!Hailthee,ThaneofCawdor!Allhail,Macbeth,thatshaltbekinghereafter!"(Shakespeare 1.3.51–53)thewitchessayprovingthatMacbethisrespectedenoughtobetheThaneofCawdor. ThenlaterprovingthathehasthepowertobecomeandstaythekingofScotlandYes,hedoeskill thekingtobecomeking,but...showmorecontent...

BesidesthewitchestalkingtoMacbethintobecomingtheking,whichconvinceshimtokillthe king,sohecanbeking;Macbethhasothershelpdoomhimtohisfate.LateronwhenMacbethgoes tothewitchesagainafterkillingBanquo;theybegintoshowMacbeththeseapparitions."Macbeth! BewareMacduff!BewaretheThaneofFife!"(Shakespeare4181–82)"Macbeth!fornoneof womanbornshallharmtheeMacbeth."(Shakespeare4.1.88–92)Whenthewoodbeginstomove thatwillsignaltheendofMacbeth.WhenMacbethbelievestheapparitionshestartstogoalittle crazyandcontinueshisfall.WhenreportingofthewoodmovingMacbethdiscovershisendis coming.

Finally,Macbethwasabletolearnthroughsufferingandpersonalcourageinacceptingdeathand annihilation."Dispairthycharm,andlettheangelwhomthoustillhastservedtellthee,Macduff wasfromhismother'swombuntimelyripped."(Shakespeare5.8.17–20)atthismomentMacbeth realizedthatthiswashistimetogoMuchlikethewitchessaid"nomanthat'sbornofwomanshall e'erhavepoweruponthee."(Shakespeare5.3.6–7)WhenMacbethfoundoutMacduffwasnot womanbornMacbethstoppedfightingandknewthiswastheendofhislife. Inconclusionallisdonethatcannotbeundone.Macbethhasprovenhimselftobeaverytragichero bygivingupallthathehadgained;tofinishhisfatethatwasprophesiedbythe

...Getmorecontent...

InWilliamShakespeare'stragedyMacbeth,themaincharacterexhibitsthetraitsofatragichero. BeginninginActI,asweareintroducedtoMacbeth,untilhisdeathinActV,thischaracterizationis evident.MacbethisanAristoteliantragicherobecauseherosetohighstature,isextremely ambitious,fellfromauthority,andexperiencedamomentofself–acceptanceandrealization. MacbethrisestonobilitythroughoutActIThissocialadvancementbeginsinActI,sceneii,lines 16–19,whenCaptainisrecountingScotland'sbattleagainsttheNorwegians.Captainexclaims,"for braveMacbeth–wellhedeservesthatname–withbrandishsteel,whichsmokedwithbloody execution,likevalor'sminion"CaptainisexpressingtheexcessofbraveryMacbethdemonstrates duringthebattle.ThenextcommentaboutMacbeth'sriseinstatureis...showmorecontent... Hisfirstepiphanytookplaceinsceneiii,lines24–31,whenMacbethrealizeshewilldiebeing rememberedascruelandhatefulinsteadofhonorable.Macbethstates,"MywayoflifeIsfall'ninto thesere,theyellowleaf,andthatwhichshouldaccompanyoldage,ashonor,love,obedience, troopsoffriends,Imustnotlooktohave,but,intheirstead,curses,notloudbutdeep,mouth–honor,breath,whichthepoorheartwouldfaindenyanddarenot."Macbeth'snextdisplayof realizationisinscenev,line9,whenMacbeth'scastleissurroundedbyMalcolm'ssoldiers,and Macbethsays,"Ihavealmostforgotthetasteoffears."Macbethindicatesthathehasforgottenwhat truefearfeelslike.Macbeth'slastdisplayofhisrealizationofhismistakesisinscenevii.Inthis sceneMacbethistalkingwithYoungSiwardbeforetheyfightYoungSiwardasksforMacbeth's nameandhereplies,"no,normorefearful"(line12).Macbethissayingthathisnameismorefeared thanthedevils.Macbeth'sepiphanybeforedeathoccursinAct

...Getmorecontent...

MacbethisoneofShakespear'smostwellknownplays.Theexcitingtaleofalustforpowerand overbearingambitioncaptivatedaudiences.Themaincharacter,Macbeth,wasatragichero accordingtothefourmaincomponentsofthearistotileantragichero.AnAnristotileantragicherois onewhoisofnoblebeginnings,butultimatelymakesanfalsejudgementthatleadstotheir.The heroofthetragedymuchhaveafatalflawthatleadsthemtotheirdownfall(Hamatia),theymust haveaturningpointinwhichrolesarereversed(peripetia),achangeinhisactionsbasedonself–awareness(anagnorisis)andfinallyittriggersemotionssuchaspityandfearfromtheaudience( catharsis)Asherisesinpoweruntilhisutmostdemise,theprotagonist,Macbeth,inShakespear's Macbethaccuratelyportraysthreeoutofthesefourmaincharacteristsics....showmorecontent... betweenthepersuasionofhiswifeandhisexcessiveambition,Macbeth'sMacbeth'sambitionand inabilitytobepacientledLadymacbethtocoaxmacbethintohavingduncankilled.Inorderto coveruptedeathoftheking,thegottheguardsdrunk,proceededtomurddertheguards,place blameonthefleeingsons,killbanquoandthefamilyofmacduffThewitchestoldmacbethhis futureinscotlaandwouldbebright,butmacbethsinabilitytowaitcausedhimtotakemeausresinto hisownhandsandpursuethedeathoftheking.Bytheendoftheplayfourpeopleweremurderedat thehandsofmacbethtryingtoprotecthiscrown.Macbethsparanoiaandactionsafterherecieved thecrownmadeitsothathewasquicklyremovedfromthecrown.Thepeoplelookedtohimasifhe wasatyrant"Mythought,whosemurderyetisbutfantastical,Shakessomysinglestateofman, Thatfunctionissmother'dinsurmise,andnothingisbutwhatisnot.

...Getmorecontent...

Macbethisatragichero,inTheTragedyofMacbeth,asmanypeoplereferitas,hasamain antagonistMacbethwhoisbyfaultofcharacterflawedandisdestinedtoexperiencedeath, suffering,anddownfall.Andduringthebeginningoftheplaytherewasasupernaturalforce involvedingivingMacbeththetemptation.Andmanycanarguethatthe3witchesinthebeginning oftheplaymadehimdoitbutthat'snotnecessarilytruetheyneverforcedhishandinthemurderof KingDuncanandthenumerousmurdershehadinvolvementin.Hedidthisonhisownduetothe lackofhisloyalty,sanity,orwhatevertraitotherpeoplewishtogivehim.Regardlessofwhattrait helacksthestoryandMacbethdofollowinthecriteriaofatragicheroshowmorecontent AnothercharacteristicMacbethhasisthatheisgreatbutnotperfectwhenhefirstheartheprophecy hegetstemptedandeventuallygiveintohisimpulseswhicheventuallyleadstohisdownfall.That directlyleadstoanothertraitthatatragicherohastheirdownfallissomewhattheirownfault. TowardMacbeth'sdeathitwashisownchoicetogoandfightMacduffandgethimselfkilled insteadofrunningAndthefinaltraitatragicherohasthatMacbethsharesisthathisdownfallisn't totallyabadthingbecauseeventhoughMacbethisdeadthat'sonlybadforhim,thingsarebackin order.MalcolmiskingMacduffgotrevengeforhisfamilyandScotlandisat

...Getmorecontent...