macbeth as a tragic hero :: essays research papers

Macbeth the Tragic hero <Tab/>"I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell." This is a quote from Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The quote symbolizes Macbeth turning to the dark side. Macbeth is a historically based play. James I is placed into the play with his distant relationship with Banguo. Macbeth is a tragedy in which human actions have unavoidable consequences, where the characters sins and mistakes are never forgiven or rectified. Every tragedy has a tragic hero in this play Macbeth is the tragic hero. Macbeth is the tragic hero because he has a high station, tragic flaw, and a downfall in which he redeems before his death. <Tab/>Macbeth receives a station as high as king of Scotland. He also obtains title of Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth fought valiantly in the battle against Macdonaldwald and fought him face to face and defeated his army. Macbeth sounds like an honorable and courageous man. Well, he is until he starts to turn to the dark side. <Tab/>The three witches tell him three apparitions the first being beware of Macduff, Second one is no man of woman born shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. Hearing the apparitions makes Macbeth greedy and overconfident. He believes that he can do as he pleases and will never falter. These two things are Macbeth's tragic flaws. These and other things lead to Macbeth's downfall. <Tab/>Macbeth comes across three witches that greet him in three different ways Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king here after. Macbeth did not think much of these greetings. Well, until he receives the news from Ross that he has become the Thane of Cawdor. This is where Macbeth's downfall beings to show it's ugly little head. His mind becomes cloudy and begins to focus on how he will obtain the crown. Macbeth later murders Duncan, the king, in his sleep. This action turns Macbeth's downfall in to a rapid decent. Not long thereafter his wife drives herself crazy thinking of Duncan's murder and commits suicide. Macbeth also loses the throne, and his life in the final act. These actions symbolize the completion of his down fall. Even after all his deceit and corruption he still seems to redeem his honor and courage to the audience. <Tab/>Macbeth regains is honor and courage just before his death.