Essay on Shakespeares Macbeth as Tragic Hero - 623 Words

Shakespeares Macbeth as Tragic Hero Shakespeares Macbeth follows the journey of nobleman Macbeth that starts with him as Thane of Glamis and ends with him as King of Scotland. Macbeth is a tragic hero because he possesses all the traits that Aristotle outlined in his poetics. He said that the tragic hero must be a man that is higher than mortal worth, but has tragic flaws. Aristotle also stated that the flaws will lead to great suffering and usually death; the cause being fate. The flaws that lead to Macbeths degeneration are his sense of ambition, his reliance on the prophecies and his influence and manipulation by Lady Macbeth. These flaws cause the downfall of Macbeth, which evokes both pity and fear in the†¦show more content†¦After the murder, his desire, or ambition to keep his throne leads him to kill his best friend Banquo because the witches prediction that Banquos son would become king. He also kills Macduffs family because he believes that he a danger to his crown. This murder proves to be his most fatal error. Macbeth is a nobleman and a warrior and therefore, it is important for him to be manly in front of everyone, which is why he is insecure about his manhood. Lady Macbeth plays on this insecurity and is able to control Macbeth through this manipulation. She challenges his manhood when he decides not to kill Duncan, saying When you durst do it, then you were a man (I, 7, 54). This pushes Macbeth to kill the King. Lady Macbeth also challenged his manhood when he sees Banquos ghost, saying that if he were a real man, the sight of a ghost would not bother him. ...regard him not--Are you a man? (III, 4, 69) Macbeths reliance on the prophecies was another important factor in the decline of his character. If it were not for the witches telling Macbeth that he would be King, he may have remained his honorable and loyal self. The prophecies aroused his ambition and start the corruption of his character. The second apparition that was given to Macbeth makes him feel as though he is invincible because the apparition states that no man born of woman could harm him, but it was a half truth because they also told him that he shouldShow MoreRelatedEssay on Shakespeares Macbeth is a Tragic Hero956 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth is a Tragic Hero  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeares tragic hero is a man of noble birth who falls from a position of honor and respect due to a flaw in his character. He freely chooses a course of action which ultimately causes him suffering and brings him to a fatal end.(Campbell 129) Macbeth is the epitome of a tragic hero who rises high then falls rock bottom to his death. 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