Macbeth Essay
Macbeth Essay
Macbeth is a Classic Tragic Hero
Ashton Fehr
Mrs. Harnadek
Grade 11 English
May 28th 2013
“Power is poison. Its effect on leaders has always been tragic” (Search). This quote by Henry Brooks Adams holds a lot of truth and relates to Macbeth. Macbeth holds a high position in society as Thane of Glamis. Macbeth is a hero who has a tragic flaw which makes him fall from his position of power and results in the death of others and himself. Macbeth is a classic tragic hero because of he is a high ranking Thane, a hero of war, has a tragic flaw of overreaching ambition, falls from favour and then kills others and dies.
In the quote below the Captain is describing how Macbeth won the battle for them.
“Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak;
For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like valors minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave,” (1.2.15-20).
Macbeth is a high-ranking Thane and a hero because of his bravery stated above but also because of his courageous and manly behaviour during the battle as stated in this quote below:
“Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons,
Point against point, rebellious arm ’gainst arm,
Curbing his lavish spirit; and to conclude,
The victory fell upon us” (1.2.56-60).
Macbeth’s victories in these battles and his tough guy attitude in the battles are what resulted in King Duncan giving him the title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’ on top of the title ‘Thane of Glamis’ which he already occupied, as it says in the quote 1.2.66-68.
“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth”.
This is just another piece of information showing how marvelous and heroic Macbeth is. But not everything about the brave, courageous, manly and tough Macbeth is as perfect as it seems. For Macbeth
Macbeth is a Classic Tragic Hero
Ashton Fehr
Mrs. Harnadek
Grade 11 English
May 28th 2013
“Power is poison. Its effect on leaders has always been tragic” (Search). This quote by Henry Brooks Adams holds a lot of truth and relates to Macbeth. Macbeth holds a high position in society as Thane of Glamis. Macbeth is a hero who has a tragic flaw which makes him fall from his position of power and results in the death of others and himself. Macbeth is a classic tragic hero because of he is a high ranking Thane, a hero of war, has a tragic flaw of overreaching ambition, falls from favour and then kills others and dies.
In the quote below the Captain is describing how Macbeth won the battle for them.
“Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak;
For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like valors minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave,” (1.2.15-20).
Macbeth is a high-ranking Thane and a hero because of his bravery stated above but also because of his courageous and manly behaviour during the battle as stated in this quote below:
“Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons,
Point against point, rebellious arm ’gainst arm,
Curbing his lavish spirit; and to conclude,
The victory fell upon us” (1.2.56-60).
Macbeth’s victories in these battles and his tough guy attitude in the battles are what resulted in King Duncan giving him the title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’ on top of the title ‘Thane of Glamis’ which he already occupied, as it says in the quote 1.2.66-68.
“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth”.
This is just another piece of information showing how marvelous and heroic Macbeth is. But not everything about the brave, courageous, manly and tough Macbeth is as perfect as it seems. For Macbeth