To What Extent Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero

Is it possible for Macbeth to be a hero? Macbeth the play written by William Shakespeare takes place during a medieval time in Scotland. The main character Macbeth, began as noble swordsman killing a traitor of King Duncan. Afterwards Macbeth is greeted by three witches that prophesize him becoming king. Macbeth then encounters major troubles in his story including murders of innocent people and officials. Although Macbeth is portrayed as a cold, cruel, and dark hearted murderer, he displays the Shakespearen qualities of a tragic hero by having internal conflicts, a fatal aspect, and supernatural influences. Internal conflicts play a huge part in Macbeth being a tragic hero. While Macbeth is deciding on his actions he ponders “If ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth?” ( i,iii 132,134). Macbeth is starting to question the witches prophesies with his own personal beliefs. Macbeth clearly is having second thoughts on his actions and the prophecies description. This gives him one trait of a tragic hero. Macbeth then further questions the witches’ prophecies saying “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me. Without my stir.” (i,iii 146-148). Macbeth then questions his own destiny wondering if he should interfere with his fate delivered by the witches’. This is not the

Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, influences Macbeth by saying “ Art not without ambition.” (i,v 18). Macbeth has one good quality of being an eligible leader but, this quality of ambition can easily be turned for evil. Lady Macbeth claims that his ambitious mind should only encourage him to kill the King faster. Macbeth describes his own ambitions as “ Black and deep desires.” (i,iii 59). This foreshadows his own ambitions of having a dark side to his nature if under the right circumstances. Macbeth now gains another quality of being a tragic hero but, is now having supernatural