How Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero

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The character Macbeth is one of the most known Shakespearean tragic hero. What does it mean to be a tragic hero? A tragic hero is a person who is predominantly good, but suffers from a self-inflicted falling out due to the flaws in their personality. In the play, Macbeth’s flaw in his personality is his ambition, this is what ultimately makes him a tragic hero.
Near the start of the play, Macbeth is known as being great stature. He has already earned the title of Thane of Glamis, and as alleged by the three witches, Macbeth will soon rule as the Thane of Cawdor. This indicates that Macbeth is of importance in the region. In Act 1, Scene 2, Duncan addresses Macbeth as, “…valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” and later as a “Worthy Thane”. The …show more content…
With the bloody path, he had made for himself, his fall from control was unsurprising. Macbeths actions had him fearing for his own life, as thousands in Scotland wanted him dead. Although Macbeth was aware of the pain it would cause him after people found out the truth, Macbeth did not fear these people seeking revenge due to Macbeth falling for the deceptive words of the witches. The three witches told Macbeth to be bold and fearless, that no man born of a woman could defeat him, and that he will never be defeated.
Macbeth shows all of the characteristics of a Shakespearean tragic hero: a person from a noble family, basically good, but, overwhelmed by his ambition, ends up committing a heinous act, bringing about his own downfall, filling us, his audience and readers, with pity and terror. Macbeths ambitions leads him to deterioration as a character which resulted in his ultimate downfall, his death. His easily gullible nature causes him to not create his own thoughts, but rather be able to listen to the words of his wife, Lady Macbeth and the three witches. These tragic flaws go on to play a major role in Macbeth’s

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