Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

A tragic hero is a literary archetype often used to provoke sympathy in the audience. This character is commonly a person of good morals with a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to their demise. The protagonist of Shakespeare’s widely acclaimed Scottish play, Macbeth, is a classic example of how a tragic hero leads to his own undoing. The play explores Macbeth’s lust for power following his encounter with three witches, and the destructive aftermath that follows. As the play progresses, Macbeth transforms from a heroic warrior into a mad and unspeakably tragic character, creating instability in both himself and the world around him. The tragic ending of the play can be interpreted in many ways, with some blaming Lady Macbeth, the witches, Macbeth,

After the murder of both Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth expresses his guilt and resolves to do whatever is necessary to cover up his crimes, including more acts of violence. He tells Lady Macbeth, “...I am in blood/ Stepp’d in so far, that I should wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o’er:/ Strange things I have in head, that will to hand,/ Which must be acted, ere they may be scann’d” (3.4.136-140). Macbeth uses a metaphor to compare his current situation to being submerged in blood, signifying that he has killed so many people, that he cannot possibly turn back and seek forgiveness. The burden of his heinous crimes haunts him and pushes him deeper into a state of instability, as seen through the blood imagery that symbolizes Macbeth’s immense guilt. Despite being overcome with remorse and awareness of his crimes, he persists in using unjustifiable tactics to get his way. In fact, Macbeth confesses that he feels compulsion to act out his darkest desires without even fully considering the consequences. This indicates that the more murders he commits, the stronger his violent urges grow. Furthermore, his reliance on murder shows his impulsiveness as he quickly resorts to it. This only leads him into an unending cycle of committing other murders, further self-incrimination and ultimately, his downfall. In addition to that, the

Paranoid that he may lose his throne, Macbeth visits the witches a second time to confirm his fate, and foolishly leaves with a feeling of invincibility. The witches inform Macbeth to beware of Macduff and that “...for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.80-81). Now confident that he can not be hurt, Macbeth responds with “Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?” (4.1.82). The witches go on to tell him “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until/ Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill/ Shall come against him” (4.1.92-94). Macbeth concludes “That will never be:/ Who can impress the forest, bid tree/ Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good!” (4.1.94-96). Macbeth’s instability and desperation to maintain his power blinds him to what the apparitions truly are: warnings. Rather than realizing that the witches are once again leading him astray, he convinces himself that he cannot be defeated and lowers his guard to the chaos that is soon to come. Not only that, but his delusions foretell how Macbeth’s newfound confidence results in him acting recklessly, eventually causing his death. This can be seen during the battle, in which his false sense of security is evident as he fights everyone head on, including Macduff, despite the witches warnings. Unfortunately, he realizes his mistake, but it is far too