Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

The word tragedy has been around for about 25 centuries (Sewall, Conversi). It is literature about sad and terrible events explored or caused by a heroic character (Sewall, Conversi). Tragedies were first performed in Greek plays at religious festivals (Sewall, Conversi). The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare is considered a Scottish tragedy. The character Macbeth shows almost all the traits of a tragic hero. Macbeth has a noble birth or position which is the first trait of a tragic hero. He becomes Thane of Glamis after his father dies. He is also related to King Duncan. Duncan greets Macbeth with, “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” (1.2.26). This quote shows Macbeth has a noble position from his father. He later gains higher noble

Although Macbeth has two tragic flaws. One is when the witches appear. The other is his wife’s manipulation. The witches tell him, “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.59-61). The witches gave him predictions that he should not have received. They may not have come true if he wasn't told. He told his wife about what they said and she manipulated him into doing what she thinks will turn him king. She tells Macbeth “When you durst do it, then you were a man; and, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man” (1.7.55-57). She told him he was not a man since he did not want to kill. Eventually with enough manipulation, he murders

When the witches told him the information, his wife manipulated him into doing things to make those predictions come true. After killing Duncan he ended up killing Banquo all without his wife. This only causes his mental health to go further downhill. Mental health is his downfall. He goes on to see some apparitions from the witches and learn some information about his ending. He is really worried about what they show him. Next is the tragic realization, this is when Macbeth realizes he is going to die. Lady Macbeth dies and this makes him sad. Then Macduff shows up, Birnum wood moves to Dunsinane hill, and he learns Macduff being woman born means that Macbeth will die to him and Macbeth knows this. Macbeth says “though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane, and thou opposed, being of no woman born, yet I will try the last” (5.8. 35-37). He still wants to try, but he fails. Macduff kills Macbeth and cuts off his head. Creating a catharsis is the last trait of a tragic hero. Some people could say Macbeth creates one and some may say he doesn't. A catharsis is when the audience feels pity for the hero. Macbeth doesn't make me feel a catharsis. Some people may feel one for him when his wife manipulates him into killing Duncan. They may feel pity when his wife dies, but I just dont think I feel pitiful for him. He got what was