Macbeth Tragic Hero
Macbeth- Tragic HeroMacbeth: Tragic Hero
The following is an essay on how the character of Macbeth serves as an example of a tragic hero in Shakespeare�s Macbeth. His tragic decision stems from the influence of a tragic flaw. Once he has made the decision, it is irreversible, and produces his downfall. In an attempt to save himself, the tragic hero tries to reverse his decision, but ultimately fails. Aristotle defined the tragic hero as the following:
�The tragic hero must be neither villain nor a virtuous man but a character between these two extremes...a man who not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity but by some error or human frailty."
-Aristotle
The play follows Aristotle�s five-act pattern. In Act I, the Act of Introduction, the setting, characters, and plot are introduced to the reader. The background and setting of the play are introduced in order for the reader to fully understand it. In Act II, the Act of Development, the plot develops, the conflict intensifies, and signs of character�s flaws appear. Act III is the Act of Tragic Decision. Characters usually act under the influence of a tragic flaw, causing them to make a crucial decision. In Act IV, the Act of Falling Action, the character realizes the error in the decision. In a futile effort, they try to reverse it but ultimately fail. The damage is beyond repair. In Act V, the Act of Catastrophe, the character suffers the consequences of the decision, and is destroyed professionally, physically and socially.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare strays from the traditional structuralist point of view and takes upon a more creative point of view in a sense that the tragic decision could be anywhere in the play. Unlike most tragic plays, in Macbeth, the tragic decision does not occur in act three. Instead, he makes decisions that occur throughout the play, which do not necessarily happen in act three. Throughout the play, Macbeth is blinded by his ambition. The witches, Lady Macbeth, and his own insecurities aid in helping him carry out his actions. In the beginning of the play, we see him as a noble leader, and in the end, as a violent, desperate individual. In the first act, the witches awaken Macbeth�s ambition to rise to power. In the second act, Lady Macbeth encourages him to commit the crime necessary for him to fulfill this ambition. Throughout the entire play, his own insecurities lead Macbeth to rash actions to rid himself of his enemies, of which he often regrets.
In act one, three witches who in turn contribute to the downfall of his character confront Macbeth. They tell him he will become Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Gladis, and King of Scotland. These prophecies arouse Macbeth�s curiosity to rise to...
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