In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, many of the main characters can be classified as tragic heroes. A tragic hero can be labeled as a character with a fatal flaw which eventually leads to their downfall. However, I believe that the main character, Macbeth, is overall the biggest tragic hero within the play. Macbeth's selfish ambition, low self-esteem, and general obsession with more power all contributed to his grand title of being a tragic hero.
Macbeth begins to make selfish decisions that he knows only will benefit himself. “For mine own good, all causes shall give way. I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er” (III.iv.140-145). This direct quote said by Macbeth, shows his selfish ambition and proves that he does not care about anybody other than himself. Macbeth is also stating within this quote that he has walked so far into a river of blood that even if he tried stopping now, it would be easier for him to keep killing people than to become a good person again. Based on his actions, Macbeth has shown that he has quickly transitioned from good to evil and that he does not have any remorse for all the killing that he has done.
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In this quote said by Lady Macbeth, she is telling Macbeth that the only way he can prove to be a man is if he gets rid of King Duncan: “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” (I.vii.48-50). By Macbeth caving to Lady Macbeth’s wants and killing Duncan, this situation starts a chain reaction of killing, led by Macbeth, to gain more power. I believe that if Macbeth had not listened to his wife, this would have changed the outcome of Macbeth becoming a tragic