Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Is Macbeth a tragic hero? If yes, how is he tragic?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Macbeth is absolutely a tragic character, and he is tragic because he is a formerly honorable man whose lust for power leads to his destruction and death. 


Usually, tragedy in literature deals with the desolate or melancholy fate experienced by a hero. In Shakespearean terms, tragedy generally involves the downfall of a king, often as a result of some personal flaw. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth undoubtedly begins as a hero, as he nobly leads his army to victory over the enemies of King Duncan. However, spurred on by his growing ambition, and encouraged by the three mysterious witches, Macbeth embarks on a bloody quest to gain the crown of Scotland and destroy all those who oppose him. Thus, Macbeth is a tragic figure because he is an initially heroic man who meets his downfall at the hands of a personal flaw: his own ambition.  

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