Macbeth's Tragic Flaw

While writing Macbeth, Shakespeare completely intended for Macbeth to be a tragic hero processed a tragic flaw that would eventually lead to his demise. At the opening of the play the audience see Macbeth portrayed as the most noble of all the knights. Multiple characters throughout the play refer to Macbeth as “Brave Macbeth” (I.i.6) or “Noble Macbeth” (I.i.70) claiming he is worthy of such praise. If Macbeth is so great, how could he possibly do anything awful enough to ruin everything he was earned? Three prophecies were all it took to produce at completely different Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth! Hail thee Thane of Glames… Thane of Cawdor… Macbeth that shalt be king here after” (I.iii.48-52). Three witches addressed Macbeth first with the title he already held and then with two titles he did not possess. At first Macbeth is confused as to why the witches would address him wrongly; this is until not long after he is named Thane of Cawdor. In astonishment Banquo says, “What can the devil speak true?”
(I.iii.107). He says this in shock because the witches here right about Macbeth being Thane of Cawdor. So if this became true, does that mean Macbeth will be named king? The thought of maybe becoming king immediately runs through Macbeths mind seconds after being name Thane of Cawdor; along with the thoughts of how he’ll obtain that status. The witches were able to completely alter is thought process and as the play progresses the audience is able to see Macbeths downfall first hand. The prophecies consume Macbeth life and this is where Shakespeare turn him from a brave, noble knight to an evil murderous king.
Shakespeare exposes Macbeths tragic flaw and it eventually ruins Macbeth. Immediately after being named Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth thinks, “I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” (I.iii.107). Macbeth is questioning his thoughts, wondering why he would turn to murdering the king so quickly or if he’d even have to commit such an act. Well Macbeth thoughts end up getting the better of him and he does murder the king. Thus allowing Macbeth to take his place as king, but he doesn’t stop at just the murder of the king. He takes the phrase, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” (III.i.48) whole heartedly. Macbeth goes as far as to murder his best friend,
Banquo. The longing for power is Macbeths tragic flaw, he started out being a noble man who seemed to have a lot going for him. Then as the play progresses the long for power opposes his morality and he forced to choose between the two. He chooses the power and must face the consequences. The choice of power leads him to murder many people to protect himself which eventually all come back to haunt him when he is brutally murdered. Shakespeare intended for Macbeth to be a Tragic hero and used Macbeths tragic flaw, his longing for power, to teach the audience a lesson.