The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play
Modern day society defines tragedy as life’s bitterness and defeat. In
the time of Macbeth, tragedy involves a great man from fortunate
success falling to utter defeat, a state of chaos, and eventual death.
The horrific tragedy of Macbeth captures the audience as they feel
pity, sympathy, horror and fear. The supernatural is showcased and
deaths are shown throughout the play. Macbeth is a man with one goal;
to become king. His evil nature is shown to the audience and the
tension increases. This tension is used to gain sympathy from the
audience. His bloody downfall not only relieves the audience of its
tension, but the tragic hero from his burden. However, who was
responsible for Macbeth’s death? Could his power hungry wife have
pushed him to his demise? Macbeths’ downfall was a direct result his
character flaws. These hamartias are his greed for power, his ambition
and his thirst for killing.
Macbeths need to be all powerful was a direct cause of his death. At
the beginning of the play, the third witch says ‘All hail, Macbeth!
that shalt be king hereafter’ (Act I. Scene iii line 49). This had
intrigued Macbeth. At this part in the play, he has reached a great
point in his life as the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is now in touch with
both the supernatural and the evil, and though still skeptical, he
wants to become king at all costs. Though dressed ‘In borrow’d robes’
(Macbeth, Act I. Scene iii line 108) he easily adjusted to the roll.
His need to become more in life leads to his killing of the king. Like
a pack of ravaging dogs, Macbeth finishes off the King of Scotland
even th...
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..., Act V. Scene ii lines 3-4). After all, ‘thou’lt be
afraid to …’(Macbeth, Act V. Scene vii line 5) hear his name, though
his downfall comes from his display of over ambition.
The tragic Shakespearean hero Macbeth had many tragic flaws that led
to the downward spiral into evil. Those character defects are his
greed for power, his ambition, and his desire to kill. The great
tragedy of Macbeth’s downfall will be relived for generations to come.
This dark symphony of fear will be read and as Shakespeare manages to
capture the passion and emotion onto a page of words, it affects us as
people for the rest of our lives. Lessons learnt from Macbeth may
carry with us for years to come. As Shakespeare portrays the many
faces of evil, the audience is left with a lasting impression of a
most famous piece of literature and art.