Essay on Tragic Hero and Brave Macbeth

Submitted By Papa9800u

Words: 297

Pages: 2

Open Document

Macbeth, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the 17th century, expresses clearly the strong pull that desire for power can have over a man. Macbeth, the title character of the play, is often expressed as being the villain of the tragedy. However, through studying the play closely it is clear to see that, rather than being an innately evil character, Macbeth is in fact a tragic hero, doomed by fate from the start to descend into the madness which he did. Had it not been for his hamartia and his interaction with the witches and his wife then the play would have had a very different ending.

Like every tragic hero in literature Macbeth suffered from a tragic flaw, or a hamartia. In his case, his flaw was his vaulting ambition, combined with a lust for power. Macbeth himself recognises this ambition in act I, scene 7 where he states in a soliloquy “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition”. This comment suggests that he knows that the only thing that prompts his actions is his ambition. While ambition alone is not in fact a bad trait, when added with a lust for power, this ambition can become dangerous. Did having these qualities mean that Macbeth was indisputably corrupt? No, they simply meant that he, like all human beings, had a flaw and a weakness. Indeed, at the start of the play, Macbeth was seen as the hero, being described as “brave Macbeth” in act I, scene II, and shown as a loyal and brave solider on the battle field. He is

Essay on Brave Macbeth

Honorable, valiant, brave and strong are the characteristics that build the character of Macbeth. Slowly the once wise honorable character, Macbeth, crumbles into a tragic hero. While taking an analytical look at Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it becomes apparent that the moving poetic plot does follow Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy due to noble characteristics in Macbeth, his ambition that becomes his tragic flaw and Macbeth’s error in judgement. On the battlefield, Macbeth shows no fear while his…

Words 398 - Pages 2

Macbeth and Witches Essay

influence of Lady Macbeth, or the prophecies from the three witches. Draw explicitly on quotations and plot development to support your ideas. Macbeth, a tragedy scripted by William Shakespeare in the 17th century, shows the effects a desire for power can have over a man. Macbeth, the title character of the play is often expressed as being the villain of the tragedy however through the study of the play it is evident that rather being an innately evil character Macbeth was a tragic hero. Doomed by…

Words 742 - Pages 3

Essay on Macbeth: Macbeth and Tragic Hero

Tragic Hero is a common figure in many of Shakespeare’s works. A Tragic Hero is usually a figure of royalty, fame or greatness. This person is predominately good, but falls from prominence due to personality flaws that eventually lead to self-destruction. Macbeth’s major flaws are his ambition and impressionability. Due to their flaws, a Tragic Hero’s actions are often atrocious and cause them to battle with their conscience after their desires have been accomplished. These battles with their conscience…

Words 301 - Pages 2

Macbeth: Macbeth and Tragic Hero Essay

Rafael Tenorio English 6th period 12/1/14 Macbeth The role of a tragic hero is often portrayed in Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth is a perfect example of Shakespeare’s tragic hero. There are multiple factors that support Macbeth being labelled as a tragic hero. Usually a tragic hero is a great or virtuous character who is destined for a downfall, suffering, or defeat. But a Shakespearean tragic hero will lose their life in the end of the play so the message of what is good in the play can reestablished…

Words 828 - Pages 4

Macbeth Good Vs Evil

In the play, Macbeth rises to a position of dignity and power, then through a flaw in his character he chooses to kill Duncan, and in the last act, Macbeth realizes his mistakes that lead to his death. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a good brave subject. In the first act, a soldier is reporting to the king and says, “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution…” (I, ii, 17-19). In these lines, a soldier…

Words 377 - Pages 2

Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

A tragic hero is a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat (Dictionary). In the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays the lead character Macbeth as a classic example of a tragic hero. Macbeth exhibits many tragic flaws like his pride and awareness that allow him to fall from his lofty position as king to a tragic hero. The degeneration of Macbeth’s character is a result of his own pride. Initially, Macbeth is a good-hearted…

Words 648 - Pages 3

Macbeth: A Tragic Hero

Macbeth A Tragic Hero As outlined by Aristotle, tragic heroes need to conform to the set rules. Within these rules, it is claimed that tragic heroes should not be too good, as it might lead to the audience believing that their downfall was not fair. Secondly, tragic heroes should not be too bad, as might cause the audience to feel no sympathy for them (Gale 67). Thirdly, they should demonstrate that they have an intrinsic character, and this pushes them into doing something that makes them fall from…

Words 322 - Pages 2

Essay on Macbeth and Tragic Hero

good or wholly evil. Discuss Depicted through the uprise and downfall of our tragic hero, William Shakespeare illustrates in his tragic script of ‘Macbeth’ how as humans we are a combination of good intentions and the selfish desires that are hidden within ourselves. Macbeth who was driven by his thirst for power has lead to the downfall of our tragic hero, transforming the man who was once known by the title of “brave Macbeth” to the “tyrant” he is now. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”, what is white…

Words 742 - Pages 3

A Hero SP Essay

The Ultimate Hero An explosion occurs in Boston and everyone is distraught but one. Could it perhaps be a hero, or the fool himself whom set the trap? The common question asked in the modern world today, “What is a hero?” One that has superhuman powers and saves the world or one who is camouflaged with the people of society? Norman Schwarzkopf rightly said, “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into the battle.” This quote means that anyone…

Words 715 - Pages 3

Hero or “Dead Butcher” Macbeth Essay

Hero or “Dead Butcher”; Which of these descriptions more accurately describes the portrayal of Macbeth? Shakespeare portrays Macbeth, the main protagonist, to be tragic hero who inevitably dies as a result of his fatal flaw: ambition. Macbeth is shown as very trustworthy and loyal at the beginning of the play; in a position of great social standing, respected by all and often praised by the King. Unfortunately, as a result of his fatal flaw, together with his terrible error of judgement in trusting…

Words 1248 - Pages 5