What Is Macbeth's Downfall

“Vaulting Ambition;” A Discussion of The Effects of Hamartia On One’s Tragic Downfall
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the play centralizes around the title lead, Macbeth, who is initially morally intact but soon is endowed with a tragic flaw which proves to later on completely take over his judgement, perception and manners; inevitably, his hamartia brings upon a tremendous downfall upon him, allowing readers to see the full cycle of a rise to power, followed by a great demise thus establishing Macbeth as one of the most prominent examples of a true tragic hero in literature. While in the pursuance of power, individuals tend to stray away from their normality, as power may push one to engage in behaviours they would have not done previously; this

Macbeth’s classification as a tragic hero is substantiated throughout the whole play by a multitude of factors. Early on in the play, Macbeth embodies virtue and status as part of his innate character. After he is foretold his prophecy by the witches, he reinstates his nobility by saying “[he] know[s] he is Thane of Glamis.” This is a crucial factor because by most literary definitions, tragic heros are often individuals of elevated status in society and stature, and Macbeth already being the “Thane of Glamis” reinstates that criteria. Moreover, Macbeth is spoken in a good light by many others in his society; for example King Duncan addresses Macbeth and his valor as, “…valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” and later as a “Worthy Thane.” Overall, like many tragic heroes Macbeth has an upright beginning, and this justifies the remarkable aspect of a tragic hero’s journey; their immensely dramatic transformation of how one degenerates from “good to evil.” As expected, flaws in Macbeth’s character are soon disclosed. He is

His blind ambition is shown to contradict his honourable nature, and this change in his persona is exemplified in Act I, scene 4, when Macbeth contemplates murdering King Duncan: "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." His easily impressionable nature causes him to not form his own opinions, but rather listen to the witches and his wife who leave these toxic thoughts to fester in his mind.These tragic flaws go on to play a major role in Macbeth’s demise. Due to his lust for power along with the provoking of his wife and witches, Macbeth begins to embed a low morale within him which soon proves to wholly overtake him; resorting to murder, for the sake for protecting his kingship, all while sinking into continuous moral degradation. Eventually, at the end of his battle with Macduff, Macbeth faces his tragic doom; due to his fate as a tragic hero, he also awakens himself to his anagnosis. His true anagnorisis arises in his battle with Macduff, where Macduff revealed he was given birth through Caesarean section,