Macbeth's Path to Misfortune in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth's Path to Misfortune in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth is seen as a tragic hero, he compromises his honor and neglects moral responsibility to attain power and position resulting in his tragic end. The significant events that are mentioned in this paper are events that are unfolded to show the path that led a misfortuned man to lose his honor in his tragic end.

A Tragic hero is defined as someone whose life is determined by four important elements: The first and most important of these elements is fate. Fate is defined as the power or force held to predetermine events. Fate is another word for one's fortune and destiny. The word fate is first mentioned in the play when Lady Macbeth receives Macbeth's letter telling of the witches' prophecies. She is afraid that he will not take advantage of his opportunity to take the crown, "Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd withal"(1.5 29-30). Macbeth faces his fate at the end of the play after he himself created the monster within.

The second element is Macbeth's weakness, which is fear. We often see this in Macbeth's character. Being a tragic hero often involves fear because without fear Macbeth would not be human. He himself causes the fear that eats him alive. It is fear that in the end returns and takes the life of this unlawful king. In Shakespeare and the Craft of Tragedy by William Rosen states, "Macbeth's fear is not the fear of conscience, it is the terror that springs from his inability to control his fate."(90).

The third characteristic of a tragic hero is Macbeth's poor decision making which results in his tragic end. Macbeth is constantly acting without thinking first because of his lust for power. Throughout the ...

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... Scottish throne and the play ends with Malcolm's coronation speech promising a new and peaceful kingdom from his reign as the new King of Scotland.

Macbeth is a tragic hero because he has the potential for greatness, but his greed and lust for power undercut it. The prophecies of the witches provide the spark by which Macbeth's soul is set on fire. Loyalty becomes treachery and friends become enemies. Lady Macbeth's own husband neglects even her own death. Macbeth's road to ruin is twisted and branching. He is offered chances to reverse his course and save himself, but he chooses to stick to the path of personal ambition. The play finally comes full circle. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth defends the king from those who would overthrow him. In the end Macbeth, who has taken the crown by blood and deceit, is overthrown and rightful rule is restored.