Evaluate Macbeth as a Tragic Hero

Answer

Evaluate Macbeth as a tragic hero.

In literature, writers of different ages created tragic heroes. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is a powerful figure among them. First performed in 1606, “Macbeth” is Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) shortest tragedy. This play tells the story of Macbeth, a brave and respected man who commits many murders to be the king. His ambition finally leads to his tragic death. 

Macbeth as a tragic hero: Macbeth is a classic example of a tragic hero. A tragic hero starts as a good, respected person, but a weakness in his character leads to his downfall. In Macbeth’s character, we find all the traits of a tragic hero.

Noble and Respected Status: At the start of the play, Macbeth is seen as a nobleman. He is a brave and loyal general in Scotland. The king praises him for his courage in battle. People respect him. This noble status is important because it shows that Macbeth is not a bad person from the beginning. This fact is essential for a tragic character. A villain cannot be a tragic character.  

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): Hamartia is a Greek word that means tragic flaw. Tragic flaw means the weakness in a tragic hero’s character that leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition: his excessive/overweening desire for power. Three witches tell him he will become the king of Scotland:

“All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!”

This prophecy sparks Macbeth’s ambition. Even though Macbeth hesitates at first, his hunger for power grows stronger. His wife, Lady Macbeth, pushes him to act by questioning his bravery. Thus, he plans to kill King Duncan and take over the throne. This tragic flaw leads to his downfall.

Bad Choices and Reversal of Fate (Peripeteia): Though others play a role in Macbeth’s decisions, it is ultimately his own bad choices that bring about his downfall. The witches’ prophecy gives him the idea of becoming king. Lady Macbeth manipulates him by calling him weak when he hesitates to kill