William Shakespeare's Macbeth as Hero or Villain
Macbeth is a complicated character whose human nature means that he
possesses both good and evil traits. Macbeth's courage, conscience and
his tentative approach of moral wrongdoing are as extensive as his
evil ambition, cunning and cruelty. While his good qualities bring him
to the status he enjoys at the beginning of the play his 'vaulting
ambition' (I.vii) exemplifies his less desirable characteristics.
Macbeth cannot be discussed as either purely heroic or villainous; the
complexity of his character is illustrated by his violent inner
conflict which arises from the opposing traits he possesses and is
fuelled by his imagination.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is introduced to the audience
through the words of other characters. The opinions expressed include
a description of Macbeth as a 'valiant cousin, worthy gentleman' by
Duncan, the king himself . In Macbeth's absence he is described as
being 'brave' having fought heroically against the rebel Macdonwald.
This is an example of Macbeth fulfilling the interpretation of a hero
as 'a person noted or admired for their courage or outstanding
achievements.' (Illustrated Oxford Dictionary, Dorling Kindersley).
Macbeth's bravery is certainly a heroic quality. We learn of his
physical prowess and bravery on the battlefield and in the same speech
the Captain directly calls him 'brave Macbeth' and personifies him as
'valour's minion'.
A modern audience may be sceptical about labelling Macbeth a hero for
a killing in battle, but to a Shakespearean audience the threat of
rebellion was very real and it would indeed be a hero who pre...
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... death of Macduff's family and children is Macbeth's most villainous
act because of their complete innocence.
It can be said that Macbeth is certainly more villainous than he is
heroic because of the acts of murder he undertakes. He possesses
qualities of immense guilt and the realisation of the magnitude of his
deeds, which are moral traits but are unable to redeem him. Macbeth's
inner conflict ruins him: changing him from the acclaimed 'noble' hero
he was in the beginning to the 'hell hound' and 'villain' he is
perceived as in his final days. There is indeed a hero inside Macbeth
which Shakespeare allows his audience to glimpse for example by
reference to the battle in the opening but the acts to which Macbeth
is driven by his encounter with the Witches are those of a villain and
thus Macbeth is classed as such.
Macbeth was a tragic hero. Traditionally, a tragic hero is someone who is born as an example of greatness but somehow along the way they acquire a flaw in character that brings about his own downf...
the way it is written and the time period it's takes place in says that Macbeth is a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a little different from a normal hero because tragic hero will experience some supernatural being that will be the purpose of his actions and is said to experience a bad end when these said actions lead him or her there. In Macbeth, this is very true. Throughout his life, he displayed characteristics that would be considered a tragic hero.
opinions in Act 1, Scene 2. The aim of this is to build the suspense
William Shakespeare draws Macbeth as an ambitious usurper who nevertheless has certain virtues: courage, righteousness, and a devoted love for his wife. In doing so, Shakespeare shows he understands the dual nature of human beings. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a courageous and noble warrior, who valiantly fought for his King, until he finally meets the witches. “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name”, (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 16). Dramatic irony is tied in as only the audience know that Macbeth will soon betray the king – displaying his duplicity. Macbeth is praised for his courage in battle by the Sergeant. “O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!” replies Duncan, and we, the audience see the esteem Macbeth is held in and the nobility he has shown as a loyal solider and kinsman. This leads to Macbeth being ennobled with the Thaneship of Cawdor which later engenders in him hope for inheriting the crown. Soon, Macbeth meets the witches and they prophesise that Macbeth will be crowned king of Scotland – unleashing his passion for ambition whi...
In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth is a classic example of a tragic hero who is constantly struggling with his fate. In the opening scene of the play Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches. They proclaim that he will be the thane of Cawdor. He responds by saying, “By Sinel’s death I know that I am thane of Glamis/ but how of Cawdor”(I, iii, 70-73)? At first, he does not realize to earn this title what he must do, but when he realizes he is taken aback. His bewilderment prefigures his perpetual struggle with his fate. Macbeth also is excessively ambitious which constantly affects him throughout the play. He is too determined to become king and will kill anyone to ensure that this will transpire. Macbeth’s struggle and ambition make him the quintessence of tragic hero.
Macbeth exhibits most, if not all, of the classic traits of a Shakespearean tragic hero almost flawlessly. From his rise to greatness to his ultimate destruction and death, he is most certainly a tragic hero.
Even though Macbeth can be called a tyrant and a murderer, he is nonetheless, very courageous. In the beginning of the play, he fights very bravely for his king and country.
In Act 1, Macbeth is a brave and noble soldier ready to die for his king, Duncan. He is considered a hero after taking a leading role in defeating the invading army. We know this from his defeat of Macdonwald and the Norwegian king. King Duncan was thrilled with this victory and decides to make Macbeth his new Thane of Cawdor. In Act 1, scene 2 Macbeths victory is recognized recognition and status and he is praised by the captain. "For brave Macbeth,-well he deserves that name...."Macbeth is presented as a brave man who led King Duncan 's forces to victory. Shakespeare creates an impression to the audience of Macbeth as a servant of bravery as the word "brave" suggests he is very loyal and noble . His brutality in the battlefield revealed his courageousness and that is why the Captain calls Macbeth ‘ brave Macbeth’. This shows the respect and status Macbeth has gained which portrays him as a very heroic character. kings
Shakespeare introduces the protagonist of the play as a valiant and a prominent character, even before the audience meets him. Macbeth’s fellow soldiers give us a view of his bravery and courageous manner. In order to prove his loyalty towards his king, Macbeth had won the appalling war against Norway, and became a hero:
Heroes come in all varieties and forms and are imperative to almost any story. A hero may not always be the leading man or powerful and prominent figure in a situation and in Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, the Scottish nobleman Macduff arises from the abundance of characters as a humble hero. Macduff begins as a silent, static character and develops from a less than glorious beginning to eventually help lead(motivate) an army and ultimately save Scotland by ridding the country of its’ apocryphal king. Through this, Macduff can be characterized as Macbeth’s honorable and brave opposition and the hero of the play.
In Shakespeares “Macbeth”, Macbeth is an anti hero. He is very ambitious and courageous. However, he is also a moral coward, this is Macbeths fatal flaw, which in the end leads to his doom. Shakespeare defines Macbeth as a hero very clearly. His valor in defense of Scotland is significant in the opening scene. However, he is very ambitious to be king. At the beginning of the play, he was loyal to the king. While he did imagine the murder his mind rejects it and said, "Why, if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me," (1.3.12-13). Yet his ambition increasingly defeated his good nature.
Macbeth is not outstanding and virtuous because someone who needs to brutally kill someone else to get what they want does not fit the characteristics of a hero. He does many things wrong. Macbeth's over-zealousness for political power leads him to the murder of Duncan, the assassination of Banquo, and finally to the slaughter of Macduff's family. These events urge the uprising that eventually costs Macbeth his crown and his life, not to mention the wife he loses along the way (Studer 1). Worst of all, Macbeth disturbs the balance of nature. If he had just waited for his time, he would have been king, and have had a chance to enjoy it.
The quality of a tragic hero in Macbeth is portrayed first by his position in society and his establishment of greatness. Macbeth is appreciated as a noble character and endures a high rank in the country of Scotland. He aided King Duncan in several victorious battles and his ranking was increased as a result of this. He was crowned Thane of Cawdor in addition to the Thane of Glamis. Macbeth’s position was also seen as high to the Scotish citizen’s because of his relation to the king. However, Macbeth’s bravery on the battlefield was great. “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, and fixed his head upon the battlements.” (Act 1, Sc.2) And for his victory he receives lavish praise in reports from the Captian and Ross, a Scotish Nobleman. “ …As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. I must report they were as cannons overcharged with double cracks.” (Act 1, Sc. 2) Macbeth is shown as extravagant on terms of what they say. He was also complemented several times by the Thane of Fife, Macduff. Furthermore, he was labeled several strong and brave animals on the battlefield, throughout the play. These many assessments and evaluations contribute greatly towards Macbeth’s appearance as a hero.
The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Macbeth is a man, influenced by supernatural powers, a manipulative
The most tragic hero was Macbeth. A tragic hero is one who commits an act and suffers tremendously for it. Just as all tragic heroes, Macbeth made decisions that led him to his doom. His actions were influenced by his wife, Lady Macbeth, and the Witches? prophecies. He was greatly haunted by his desire of being King and to remain King. His noble characteristic slowly downgraded to a violent and cruel individual as the story progresses.