The Character Of Macbeth As An Aristotelian Tragic Hero

Regarded as one of the greatest writers of his time, Playwright William Shakespeare used characters in his tragedies that represented an Aristotelian tragic hero. The definition of an Aristotelian tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. In the play Macbeth, Macbeth portrays an Aristotelian tragic hero in many ways. He begins as a character with great stature, and many other characters approve of him. Throughout the play, Macbeth portrays his tragic flaw of vaulting ambition. Macbeth soon became a tyrant leader, and his fall became inevitable. Therefore, in Shakespeare 's play Macbeth, the main character Macbeth fits the definition of an Aristotelian tragic hero because he begins with nobility, and because of his ambition, he suffers a fall from Grace, however, he regains a small measure of nobility and self-awareness.

He already obtained the title of Thane of Glamis and known as a war hero to many in Scotland. After the battle against Norway, King Duncan addresses Macbeth as “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” (Act I, sc ii, line 24). Later in the act, Ross also addresses Macbeth with admiration by saying “... hail, most worthy thane! For it is thine” (Act I, Scene iii, lines 107-108). Through the King and Ross speaking to Macbeth as he is a high figure, Macbeth fits the definition of an Aristotelian tragic hero, since he begins with high rank and