Macbeth, Oedipus and Creon Research paper In Macbeth and the Theban plays we read about three leaders Macbeth Oedipus and Creon who take control of a throne only to lose it in a tragic downfall. They show a theme of rising and falling. The kings show that they have incredible ambition by taking the throne and maintaining power. But, their hubris or excessive pride or confidence leads them to lose their power. Macbeth, Oedipus and Creon rise due to their ambition and falling because of their hubris.
The tragic quality shared by Macbeth, Oedipus and Creon is hubris. The first example of Macbeth's hubris is when after he and banquo first encounter the witches, they tell him “Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter’’(Macbeth,1,iii, 53) and, to Banquo they say “Thou shalt
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From the start Macbeth knows the his sons are not destined to become kings but, he thinks that he is better than faith. Thinking that he knows better than the witches Macbeth order a killing spree to all potential challengers to his illegitimate rule. He order the murderers to attack and kill his best friend Banquo and his sons Fleance so the prophecy can’t come true. After ward he sends his soldier to the castle of Macduff were the kill everything and everyone in sight. In his trying to beat faith he creates the force lead by the British and Macduff that will eventually destroy him. The second example of Macbeth’s hubris is after the apparitions tell him three new prophecies. The second apparition tells Macbeth “for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (Macbeth 4, i, 91-92). This prophecy further inflates his ego making Macbeth believe that he is invincible. When the British army comes to Dunsinane he chooses to stay and fight instead of fleeing because according to himself he cannot die. Mack believes that Macbeth's downfall came from his