Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero Or A Tyrant Essay - 920 Words

Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero Or A Tyrant? Macbeth, one of Shakespeares most emotive plays, is set in Scotland during the 11th Century and follows the downfall of a man who is led by temptation to mass murder and cruelty. Macbeth, at different stages in the play, demonstrates many of the characteristics of both an evil tyrant and a tragic hero. However, a tragic hero is defined as a great man who falls because of a fatal flaw and Macbeth bests fits this description. Therefore Macbeth fits the role of a tragic hero and not a tyrant. In Aristotles Poeticus, an ancient Greek drama, the definition of a tragic hero includes several criteria. Firstly, the character must be important and his actions†¦show more content†¦As well, his actions have so far affected many people, as he has saved Scotland from invasion and played a large part in a battle (another criteria of a tragic hero). The other characteristic of a tragic hero is a flaw in the character. In Macbeths case, it is his unnaturally large sense of ambition and pride, his imagination and insecurity as a man that contributes to his demise. His unnaturally large amount of ambition is even acknowledged by Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 7. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which oerleaps itself and falls on thother... This refers to Macbeths motivation to kill Duncan. Macbeths ambition is the central driving force for almost all of his actions in the play, and it is the witches who play on this ambition. Macbeths insecurity as man is another one of his character faults. Macbeth can prove his manliness on the battlefield easily, however Lady Macbeths knowledge of Macbeths lack in manliness in other areas allows her to easily manipulate Macbeth to kill the king. In Act 1 Scene 7 after Macbeth makes the tentative decision not to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth questions Macbeths manhood by stating, When you durst do it, then you were a man. Lady Macbeth also offers another taunt in Act 3 Scene 4 after Macbeths sight of Banquos ghost by asking Are you a man? to call forShow MoreRelatedIs Macbeth a Tyrant or a Tragic Hero?650 Words   |  3 PagesA tragic hero is someone whos fatal flaw, combined with other external factors, bring about ones demise, which is demonstrated by Macbeth in Shakespeares play Macbeth. Macbeth is portrayed as a courageous, brave and noble man who was haunted by superstition and an overpowering ambition. Factors that contributed to the degeneration of Macbeth incl ude the prophecies told to him by the witches, the influence and manipulation of his wife, Lady Macbeth, and finally, Macbeths deep driven intent to becomeRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Macbeth By William Shakespeare1052 Words   |  5 PagesBrandon Hunter Mrs. Gaestel English II 2 October, 2015 â€Å"Tragedy† of Macbeth Macbeth, a play written by one of the most influential English writers of all time William Shakespeare. It was created to be a Shakespearean tragedy. A tragedy as Aristotle defines it as: â€Å"Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude †¦. through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions† (Aristotle: Poetics). What this is saying for a tragedy isRead MoreEssay on Definitions of a Tragedy: Shakespeares and Aristotles1182 Words   |  5 PagesIn writing a tragedy, there are certain standards and guidelines to which an author or playwright must follow. One such standard is the Aristotelian definition of tragedy and the tragic hero. William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is a perfect mold of an Aristotelian Tragedy. It displays all eight aspects of Aristotle’s definition of tragedy. It is set mainly in Scotland, but briefly in England during the eleventh century. It illumina tes the ideal plot, in which the action of the story, orRead MoreMacbeth As A Tragic Hero893 Words   |  4 PagesSeidewand Andreacchi February 13th 2017 ENG2D1-02 Macbeth as a Tragic Hero A tragic hero can be described as a character obtaining heroic qualities that is, at the same time, destined for their own downfall. Unfortunately, Macbeth is an example of a character that has this title. In Shakespeare’s time during the writing of the play was the reign of King James of England, and the play ‘Macbeth’ reflects on Shakespeare’s own relationship with this king. Someone of greatRead MoreMacbeth, Banquo, and Macduff; Is There a Hero?1204 Words   |  5 Pagesin history. His plays touch on the emotions that have warped humans brains since the beginning of our creation. Macbeth, considered to be one of his finer productions, is no exception. In this tragic tale we find our main character so trapped in his own guilt and self pity that he ends up secluding himself from everyone around him, going insane, and eventually getting murdered. Macbeth has gone down in history as a very infamous character in literature, but he isn’t the only one that makes the storyRead MoreAddiction In Macbeth1324 Words   |  6 Pagespower. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth starts off as a great hero and loyal noblemen. Then, Macbeth is prophesied to become king by three witches and is under constant pressure by his wife to fulfill those prophecies. This is when Macbeth begins his series of unfortunate events. This is why scholars describe Macbeth as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character who is capable of being a great hero but because of one tragic flaw, he brings upon himself his own demise. Macbeth’s tragic flawRead MoreMacbeth by William Shakespeare857 Words   |  3 Pagesthe play Macbeth, the desire for Absolute power is the central compelling force for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are dominated with a great yearning for gaining the ultimate power by becoming the King and Queen, and are willing to achieve it by whatever means necessary. Power corrupts their thoughts, behaviours and actions. They be come greedy and selfish. As a result of this, they suffer the tragic fate of their own doings. Example of this corruption is first seen when Lady Macbeth decides thatRead MoreMacbeth Literary Critic Essay801 Words   |  4 Pagesdefinition of a tragic hero, as stated on dictionary.com, is a literary character that makes an error in judgment that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy. It has been argued for years whether Macbeth from Shakespeare’s, The Tragedy of Macbeth, can truly be considered a tragic hero or whether he is solely a villainous tyrant. Although there are some valid arguments for the Macbeth is pure evil viewpoint, by looking at Macbeth in a holistic way you can see the tragic, the heroicRead More Macbeth - Noble Soldier to Bloody Tyrant Essay1335 Words   |  6 PagesMacbeth - Noble Soldier to Bloody Tyrant    The purpose of tragedy is to arouse in the audience emotions of fear or pity, and to produce a catharsis-a relieving cleansing-of these emotions. Macbeth is the most horrific of Shakespeares tragedies because the protagonist commits such bloodthirsty acts. Apart from on the battlefield, however, this brutality is not evident when we first meet the hero.   General Macbeth is a man of military and political importance, the heroic Thane of GlamisRead MoreHow Macbeths Character Changes throughout the Play1725 Words   |  7 Pagesevidence on weather he was a tyrant or a tragic hero. The play focuses on the changing character of Macbeth and his increasing greed for power. Many factors contribute to the changes to Macbeth throughout the play which cause the character to deteriorate from a man with nobility and good intentions to one who is ruled by ambition and greed. The play begins with the scene of three witches who prophesise that three events will occur to Macbeth. The Elizabethans believed