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Macbeth: A Tragic Hero William Shakespeare s play Macbeth is one of Shakespeare s greatest plays ever written. Macbeth is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a man above the ordinary who, due to the unusual circumstances and a flaw in his character, suffers a downfall. This will be proven through his words and actions and by what others say about him. Macbeth is a man above the ordinary in many obvious ways. Macbeth was socially above the ordinary because he was the thane of Candor and Games and became king.
Macbeth s reputation was above the ordinary because he was introduced in the story as a great warrior. He was described as being brave (pg. 2) and noble (pg. 6). Macbeth was also above in the ordinary in his relationship with his wife. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plotted to murder the king together.
They also communicated very well in the beginning. Macbeth s conscience was above the ordinary because he frequently talked about it at length. It took him a long time to kill Duncan because he knew that is was immoral. In the beginning, Lady Macbeth worried that he didn t have enough ambition to kill. Macbeth was above the ordinary socially, in his reputation, in his relationship with his wife and his conscience. Thus, Macbeth was a man above the ordinary.
In Macbeth, there are many unusual circumstances. The witches prophecies are one of the unusual circumstances. All of the witches prophecies occurred. Macbeth followed everything in the witches prophecies. When the witches spoke it was always thundering and lightning. Another unusual circumstance was the fact that Macbeth became king because he murdered the king himself.
Thus, in Macbeth there were many unusual circumstances. Macbeth had a flaw in his character; he was overly ambitious. Macbeth said things such as We ve scotch d the snake, not kill d it (pg 38). Macbeth said that to Lady Macbeth in complete confidence, telling her not to worry about Fleance. Shall Banquo s issue ever Reign in this kingdom? (pg. 54). In this quote, Macbeth is told by the witches that he will not be harmed until the forest leaves it s place.
Macbeth thinks he will be safe and asks if the land will be passed down to Banquo s heirs. Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one woman born. (pg. 80). Macbeth says this to Macduff as they fight. Macbeth was also overly ambitious in his actions. He murdered the king, in order to succeed him on the throne. He murdered Fleance, Banquo because they knew the truth about how Macbeth became king.
He also murdered Macduff's family because they interfered with his plan. Thus, due to a flaw in Macbeth s character he was overly ambitious. In the end, Macbeth suffers a downfall. Macbeth s reputation goes from being brave to being a tyrant. Macbeth was described as being devilish (pg. 63) and a tyrant (pg. 75).
He was ruling with a cursed hand. In his relationship with his wife, it goes from communicating openly to Macbeth completely shutting her out. Macbeth doesn t tell her anything, which leads to her insanity. When Macbeth becomes aware of her death, he calls it untimely; that she should of waited.
Macbeth s conscience also changes. He goes from feeling extremely guilty for the kings death to murdering many people with out thinking twice. In the end, Macbeth doesn t even have a conscience anymore. He reveals what is left of it to Macduff. Socially, Macbeth goes from everyone supporting him, respecting him to everyone disowning him.
He ends up with no one left on his side and has no companions. Thus, Macbeth suffers a downfall. In conclusion, a tragic hero is a man above the ordinary who, due to the unusual circumstances, and a flaw in his character, suffers a downfall. Macbeth is a tragic hero.
By: Megan Gooding WORK CITED Shakespeare, William. Stanley Applebaum, Ed. Macbeth Toronto: General publishing company, 1993.
Free research essays on topics related to: flaw in his character, macbeth conscience, relationship with his wife, tragic hero, witches prophecies
Research essay sample on Relationship With His Wife Flaw In His Character
