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Tragic Hero In Macbeth

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Aristotle and William Shakespeare lived ages apart, but Shakespeare was greatly affected by the work of Aristotle and showed the effectiveness in each of his plays. In Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth, the character of Macbeth perfectly fits Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. This definition paves the way for a very dynamic character who can portray an extremely tragic situation. According to Aristotle, there are three elements that make up a tragic hero. The three elements include hamartia, peripeteia, and anagnorisis, in which all are present in Macbeth. Shakespeare utilizes these structural formulas in order to create the play. Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero also includes that the character comes from nobility, has a tragic flaw (caused by a simple mistake or a character flaw), undergoes a reversal …show more content…

Macbeth fits the definition of an Aristotelian tragic hero because he starts with nobility, and because of his tragic flaw of excessive pride, he suffers a fall from grace; however, he regains a small measure of the small nobility and self-awareness and these were all present in Aristotle’s definition and the three elements of hamartia, peripeteia, and anagnorisis.
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as courageous on the battlefield and is celebrated by King Duncan and the Scottish nobles. In Act 1, scene 2, the Captain recalls Macbeth’s heroic performance in the battle against Macdonwald’s forces by telling King Duncan. “But all’s too weak, For brave Macbeth-well he deserves the name-Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor’s minion carved out his passage

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