Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

The idea of a tragic hero is characterized by uprising and downfall. The rise of power comes with the ruination of the mind and soul. Macbeth’s downfall happens gradually throughout the play. His uprising was his succession to becoming the King of Scotland and his downfall was the corruption of his character. Macbeth is a tragic hero because he has constantly been tormented throughout the play by his guilty conscience, until he somehow manages to lose his humanity and rules with a lack of compassion and his one flaw is his susceptible mind which powerful influences were able to exploit and poison. Macbeth’s first connection to the tragic hero is the ability to feel guilt. It shows that he can show remorse and shame for the crimes of his past.

/ Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; / Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with!“ (3. 4. 92-95). This apparition of Banquo is a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt. In front of many, Macbeth has completely broken down due to the overwhelming feeling of contriteness. Macbeth struggling to control his emotions is him battling between hero and Tyrant. He has come to a realization of how evil he has become; the once hailed Macbeth who has been praised for his pure soul has now become a murderer with blood on his hands. He realizes that he Another display of Macbeth’s guilt is after the death King Duncan. Through the influence of Lady Macbeth coupled with his dark desires, Macbeth murders King Duncan. After murdering King Duncan, Macbeth goes through a period of extreme guilt, “One cried “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other; / As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. / List’ning their fear, I could not say “Amen,” / When they did say “God bless us!” (2. 2. 24-27) . Macbeth believes that he has lost the respect of god himself. The sudden shock of realizing what he has done breaks him down and sends him into a state of intense

And though I could / With barefaced power sweep him from my sight [...]” (3. 1. 115-118). Macbeth has sent murderers to kill Banquo, his good friend and his son, Fleance. His actions form out of fear and obsession. His sense of righteousness and morals that once granted him the title “Thane of Cawdor” has become askew and turns him into an emotionally apathetic tyrant. In addition to the plotting of Banquo’s murder, Macbeth sends murderers to kill Macduff’s family. Along with the murder of Banquo, Macbeth also gives orders to send murderers to kill Macduff’s family. Here, Macbeth struggles with paranoia; the witches have informed Macbeth about Macduff and his threat to his crown which led to his cruel and inhumane decision, “To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: / The castle of Macduff I will surprise; / Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o’ the sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls[...]” (4. 1. 149-152). Macbeth has completely transformed into a tyrant and in order to rationalize is inhumane decisions, he rules everyone that he deems questionable as