Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

A classic tragic hero is a main component to any tragedy. Tragic heroes are used to help the audience connect with and become more involved with a story by using a relatable and understandable character. Act one of Macbeth presents Macbeth as a classic tragic hero. He is an exceptional man of his society who clearly understands the rules that are the foundation of Scotland’s social and political systems. However, Macbeth’s ambition forces him to war with himself.

Macbeth displays all the qualities need to be a tragic hero, which includes his exceptionality. He is an exceptional man because of both his social status and personality. To start off Macbeth is a noble, high ranking man, whom is appreciated by king Duncan greatly. When a wounded

Macbeth clearly demonstrates his understanding of the social system many times. For instance as he is returning with Banquo, after the battles with the Hebrides and the encounter with the witches, he is hailed by Ross as the Thane of Cawdor, to which he replies by saying, “ The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me/ In borrow’d robes?’ (1.3.114-5). When Macbeth says this he demonstrates his understanding of how titles in his time were supposed to be inherited. He also shows his discomfort of being addressed by what he believes to be a borrowed title. Another occasion on which Macbeth demonstrates understanding of Scotland’s systems is when he, along with Banquo, Ross and Angus, enter a room in the palace where King Duncan is currently telling his son, Malcolm, how surprised he was by the former Thane of Cawdor 's betrayal . As Macbeth enters, the King states how grateful he is to Macbeth and how nothing he has can compensate him. To this Macbeth

In the case of Macbeth his flaw is his ambition. One instance where he demonstrates this ambition occurs as Banquo and him encounter and are speaking to the three witches. After the witches give their prophecy, which tells of all Macbeth’s future titles he says, “ Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more ... Say from whence / You are this strange intelligence.” (1.3.73...78-9). In the process of saying this he shows how eager he is to learn more of higher rankings he could inherit, even though the witches are immoral. He also wants to know how reliable their information is despite the fact that he will believe the information anyway. After talking with Ross and Banquo, learning of his new title as Thane of Cawdor in the process, picturing killing Duncan, and thinking again of what the witches recently said, Macbeth says to