How Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero

By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist of noble birth who displays bravery, courage, and other heroic qualities, but is brought down by his or her own tragic flaw. Presented as a hero at the opening of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth’s downfall is brought upon as a result of his own tragic flaw: ambition—ambition triggered by the Witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth’s own hunger for power. “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel” (1.2.16-17). Macbeth is showered with words of praise and glory, by the Captain and King, for fighting valiantly against the Thane of Cawdor and his army. “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won” (1.2.67). The defeat of the Thane of Cawdor earned the noble Macbeth the title of king. Macbeth proved to be a hero of honor.
A series of murders is initiated as Macbeth’s hunger for power grows. “I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other—“ (1.7.25-28). King Duncan is the first character to experience the repercussions of Macbeth’s ambition and the first to be assassinated. Once king, the fear of losing the throne drives Macbeth mad and he goes on to kill those who may get in the way of his reign, or even those who are menial. Banquo, Macduff’s family, and servants are all murdered as a result of Macbeth’s ambition. In the end, Macduff defeats Macbeth in battle and all that is left of Macbeth is his rolling head. Macbeth’s tyrannical and murderous behavior sprouted from the rotten seed of ambition he carried