To What Extent Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero
Macbeth, A Tragic Hero
William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, was written in 1606, during the Renaissance. The renaissance tragedy involves tragic flaw that causes the protagonist to have a downfall. It also has a bloody and violent plot just like Macbeth did. In every tragedy, they have a tragic hero who has a tragic flaw. Macbeth is a great example of a Shakespearean tragic hero because of his tragic flaw. His tragic flaw is ambition because he murders people for his desire to obtain power.
A tragic hero is someone who is a noble person but just because of one decision it all comes down. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is being characterized as an honorable and brave general, that wouldn’t do anything bad to hurt anyone. After the battle, King Duncan and the Sergeant were talking about Macbeth, saying he was loyal to the king. “Till he, unseamed …show more content…
A. C. Bradley states that Shakespeare “gives to Macbeth a similar, though less extraordinary, greatness, and adds to it a conscience so terrifying in its warnings and so maddening in its reproaches that the spectacle of inward torment compels a horrified sympathy and awe which balance, at the least, the desire for the hero's ruin” (Bradley). Therefore, Bradley agrees because Macbeth has all the qualities that a tragic hero must have like, not having any sympathy for anyone. As noted above, a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw and Macbeth’s flaw is ambition. Critic, J. Gregory Keller, acknowledge that his ambition “will lead to destruction and Macbeth recognizes that fact during his inner dialogue. And the only consequences were good ones” (Keller). Keller describes how Macbeth’s dialogue illustrates when he becomes more irrational and started killing others. His dialogue changed thoughout the play. For example, if it wasn't for the witches telling the prophesies to Macbeth, he would not have killed the king and would still be the honorable person he once
William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, was written in 1606, during the Renaissance. The renaissance tragedy involves tragic flaw that causes the protagonist to have a downfall. It also has a bloody and violent plot just like Macbeth did. In every tragedy, they have a tragic hero who has a tragic flaw. Macbeth is a great example of a Shakespearean tragic hero because of his tragic flaw. His tragic flaw is ambition because he murders people for his desire to obtain power.
A tragic hero is someone who is a noble person but just because of one decision it all comes down. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is being characterized as an honorable and brave general, that wouldn’t do anything bad to hurt anyone. After the battle, King Duncan and the Sergeant were talking about Macbeth, saying he was loyal to the king. “Till he, unseamed …show more content…
A. C. Bradley states that Shakespeare “gives to Macbeth a similar, though less extraordinary, greatness, and adds to it a conscience so terrifying in its warnings and so maddening in its reproaches that the spectacle of inward torment compels a horrified sympathy and awe which balance, at the least, the desire for the hero's ruin” (Bradley). Therefore, Bradley agrees because Macbeth has all the qualities that a tragic hero must have like, not having any sympathy for anyone. As noted above, a tragic hero must have a tragic flaw and Macbeth’s flaw is ambition. Critic, J. Gregory Keller, acknowledge that his ambition “will lead to destruction and Macbeth recognizes that fact during his inner dialogue. And the only consequences were good ones” (Keller). Keller describes how Macbeth’s dialogue illustrates when he becomes more irrational and started killing others. His dialogue changed thoughout the play. For example, if it wasn't for the witches telling the prophesies to Macbeth, he would not have killed the king and would still be the honorable person he once