Macbeth and Washizu: the Tragic Heroes
M.H. Abram's description of the tragic hero outlines the main characteristics of a tragic hero. In the play Macbeth, and film Throne of Blood, Macbeth and Washizu are the main characters that fulfill the definition of a tragic hero. They implement M.H. Abram's definition of the tragic hero because they have flaws that lead them to their "reversal of fortune", which cause them to evoke the pity and fear from the audience. Macbeth and Washizu also demonstrate how they are "better than we are," which indicates that they have a higher moral worth that amplifies the tragic effect.
First, Macbeth and Washizu both have a tragic flaw, which leads into their reversal of fortune. Macbeth and Washizu give into their ambition and pride while they both listen to their wives, Lady Macbeth, and Asaji, who ultimately lead them into their own destruction. Macbeth's ambition is his tragic flaw which leads to his destruction. He is thought to be ambitious by himself, and by other characters like Lady Macbeth. She says, "Thou wouldst be great:/Art not without ambition, but/Without the illness should attend it...". Although he had a good heart, Macbeth's ambition led him to consider killing the King to become King himself. Macbeth says, "This supernatural soliciting/cannot be ill; cannot be good; if ill, /Why hath it given me earnest successes, /Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor: /if good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ whose image doth unfix my hair?"(1.3.140-145). The motivation he had received from Lady Macbeth triggered his exploit to kill the king. From this point on, Macbeth gets tangled up in a web of death and lies. Once King Duncan is murdered, his ambition to stay as King leads him to carry out more crimes. He feels the need to kill his fellow comrade Banquo and his son Fleance, because they are a possible threat to his regime. Eventually, the Macbeth's cannot live normally, as their deeds haunt them day and night. They wish that they had never committed
First, Macbeth and Washizu both have a tragic flaw, which leads into their reversal of fortune. Macbeth and Washizu give into their ambition and pride while they both listen to their wives, Lady Macbeth, and Asaji, who ultimately lead them into their own destruction. Macbeth's ambition is his tragic flaw which leads to his destruction. He is thought to be ambitious by himself, and by other characters like Lady Macbeth. She says, "Thou wouldst be great:/Art not without ambition, but/Without the illness should attend it...". Although he had a good heart, Macbeth's ambition led him to consider killing the King to become King himself. Macbeth says, "This supernatural soliciting/cannot be ill; cannot be good; if ill, /Why hath it given me earnest successes, /Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor: /if good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ whose image doth unfix my hair?"(1.3.140-145). The motivation he had received from Lady Macbeth triggered his exploit to kill the king. From this point on, Macbeth gets tangled up in a web of death and lies. Once King Duncan is murdered, his ambition to stay as King leads him to carry out more crimes. He feels the need to kill his fellow comrade Banquo and his son Fleance, because they are a possible threat to his regime. Eventually, the Macbeth's cannot live normally, as their deeds haunt them day and night. They wish that they had never committed