Macbeth Nobility Of Birth Analysis

Nobility of Birth, is the first requirement for a tragic hero: the hero has to start off as a hero, respected and often of royal descent. Macbeth, starts off the play in this state. Macbeth has just won a major battle, already is a Thane of Glamis and is about to become Thane of Cawdor, which are positions of nobility. Macbeth is described in the beginning as, “Brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel” (Shakespeare Act I, Scene II). The moral character of Macbeth, at this moment is clear. He is a brave and noble. Macbeth has become a famed hero, and will be rewarded, “... and with his former title greet Macbeth.” (Shakespeare Act I, Scene III), Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor, and increases his

Macbeth’s flaw, is his power seeking, ambitious nature, and it leads to his and many other’s downfall. Macbeth’s ambition is what drives him to go through with the murder of Duncan, and later to murder Banquo, both of these murders ultimately lead to Macbeth’s death. Macbeth’s ambition, his desire to be king, was the reason that Duncan was murdered, “’Gainst nature still: Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up, thine own life’s means! Then ’tis most like that the sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.” (Shakespeare Act II, Scene IV). Ross, here says that ambition is the reason Malcolm murdered Duncan, and that has as a result Macbeth will become king. Ross was correct in that, ambition was the cause of the murder, and that Macbeth would become king, he just didn’t know Macbeth was the usurper at this time. Then, at the end of the play, Macduff kills Macbeth. This happens because Macbeth wanted to remain in power, and so he killed Macduff’s family, resulting in his own death. “O, I could play the woman with mine eyes, and braggart with my tongue! But, gentle heavens, cut short all intermission; front to front bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; Within my sword's length, set him...” (Shakespeare Act IV, Scene III). Macduff decides to kill Macbeth after he learns of the the death of his family at the hands of Macbeth. If Macbeth hadn’t been as ambitious or power hungry, and desperate to stay on the throne, he might not have died, as Macduff did not want to attack until after he heard the news of his family's demise. Conclusively, Macbeth’s ambition, and his need to get and maintain power, resulted in his own downfall, thus meeting the second requirement of the classical definition of a tragic