Examples Of Archetype In Macbeth

One of the most prominent character archetypes in literature is that of the tragic hero. This trope has appeared in many literary works, especially plays. Many of the greatest plays with this archetype were written by William Shakespeare, an English playwright who profoundly shaped this trope. The best example of his work with a tragic hero archetype is his play Macbeth. The archetype Macbeth perfectly depicts the character arc of a tragic hero in literature and teaches that excessive ambition and pride bring ultimate ruin.

Macbeth’s hamartia and hubris prompt him to commit horrible crimes to satisfy his ambition, and this ultimately leads to his downfall. Macbeth’s hamartia, or “tragic flaw” is that he is so ambitious that he will do anything to satisfy himself; even commit murder. His hubris or “excessive pride and disrespect for the natural

Peripeteia is the reversal of fate that the tragic hero experiences. “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff!” (4:1:81) This first piece of peripeteia occurs when the witches tell Macbeth to beware Macduff. Macbeth is already somewhat aware of this piece of advice, so it does not worry him as much as it should. “For none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth.” (4:1:91-92) Macbeth chooses to disregard this prophecy because every man is born of woman, so he essentially thinks he is undefeatable. In his mind, it is impossible for any person to not be born of woman. “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/Shall come against him.” (4:1:105-107) It is impossible to Birnam Wood to suddenly materialize at the edge of Dunsinane, so Macbeth disregards this prophecy as well. The three prophecies are completely true, but Macbeth’s pride stands in the way of him preventing them from happening. This peripeteia reverses his fate and is the cause of his