Shakespeares Macbeth as Tragic Hero Essay -- Macbeth essays

Macbeth as Tragic Hero Aristotle defined a tragic character is a man who falls into misfortune through some flaw. (Grube, 5) Shakespeares tragic hero is a man who falls from his position of honor and respect due to a flaw in character and crowning(prenominal)ly arrives at a fatal end. (Nostbakken, 2) Macbeth is an epitome of a tragic hero. He had a good nature, but was driven by rapaciousness and a quest for power. Macbeth had been a military hero, loved and praised by the people, but his blind ambition resulted in his destruction, and all his past greatness and happiness were lost. This prove will explore Macbeths path toward destruction and show how he became the epitome of a tragic hero. Macbeth was obviously a patriot and the protector of the world power at the beginning of the play. (Slethaug, 13) We imagine him to be a good warrior with extraordinary prowess and loyalty. He defeated the insurgent troops and was highly trusted. As Duncan said, He is a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. (I.iv.14-15) Even the King had great love in this real hero. But his was controlled low the supernatural force when he met the witches of prophecy, contributing to the degeneration of this character. When the witches foretold Macbeth that he was to be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glasmis and King hereafter, Macbeths ambition to the kingship had been aroused. He said, My thought, whose murder yet is but fantasticalK(I.iii.140) shows that he started imagining to get the throne by evil means for the fulfillment of the promised kingship. The imperfect speakers of mis take prophecies brainwashed him, striving up his deep ambition and leading him to step closer to the edge of dismal abyss. And later they also g... ...ed himself, to put all his possessed greatness and happiness in ruin, and ended himself in ultimate hate and demise. Works Cited Brooke, Nicholas, ed. Macbeth. Oxford The Oxford University Press. 1990. Brown, John Russell. Shakespeare Macbeth. Southampton The Camelot Press. 1965. Coursen, H.R. Macbeth-A Guide to the Play. London Greenwood Press.1997. Elloway, David. Macbeth By William Shakespeare (Macmillan master guides). Macmillan Education Limited. 1985. Grube, G.M.A, ed. Aristotle The Poetics, Poetry and Style. Indianapolis Bobbs Merril. 1958. Nostbakken, Faith. Understanding Macbeth. USA Greenwood Press. 1997. Slethaug, Gordon. Lecture Notes for ENGL1007. Hong Kong The University of Chicago. November 2000. Wain, John. Shakespeare Macbeth. Hong Kong The Macmillan Press Ltd. 1968.