William Shakespeare's Macbeth As A Tragic Hero

I believe William Shakespeare makes an argument that Macbeth is a tragic hero. Macbeth characterizes a tragic hero since he is considered nobility, and he falls from grace due to his tragic flaw. At the end of Macbeth, the concept of order is restored since Macbeth receives punishment for his actions. At the beginning of Macbeth, Macbeth is revered by the Scottish people. At the end of the war with Norway, a captain tells King Duncan that “brave Macbeth/…fixed his head upon our battlements” (1.2.16-23). He explains to the king that the war is won due to Macbeth’s brave efforts in battle. The captain continues to compare Macbeth’s valiancy to brave animals such as eagles and lions. The Scottish army persevered in the battle against Norway

He believes, “till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane/ I cannot taint with fear. / What’s the boy Malcom/…No man that’s born of woman/ shall e’er have power upon thee” (5.3.1-5). Macbeth is naïve by adhering to the spirits, and does not worry about his welfare which leads to his defeat. His misplaced trust in the witches and apparitions lead to his death at the hands of Macduff. In their duel, Macduff reveals, “Macduff was from his mother’s womb/ Untimely ripped” (5.8.15). In this moment, Macbeth finally realizes that he is a victim of his flaw. He no longer believes in the “juggling fiends…that palter with us in a double sense, that keep the word of promise to our ear, and break it to our hope” (5.8.20-25). Macbeth realizes that witches tricked him with their words, and they do not control him. Even though at first Macbeth does not want to fight Macduff, he fights to redeem his character.

In fifth act of Macbeth, Shakespeare attempts to reaffirm Macbeth as a tragic hero. In the face of all odds, Macbeth fights for himself. Macbeth is determined, “not to yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet/...and thou opposed…Yet I will try the last. Before my body/ I throw my warlike shield” (5.8.30-35). However, through Macbeth’s death, Shakespeare’s concept of order and balance is restored. Macbeth killed King Duncan, and then he himself was killed. He is justly punished for his tragic decision that came as a result of his tragic