Shakespeare's Macbeth As A Tragic Hero

The concept of a tragic hero is found throughout almost all pieces of literature. For an author, it adds a unique element to a plot, allowing for a more diverse, multifaceted protagonist. In the traditional sense, a hero is one of undoubted virtue and strength who faces a great danger, and emerges victorious. Thus, by diverging from this primitive mentality, authors create a sense of differentiability in their writing. Oftentimes, this type of character is indicative of some of the greatest classics, ranging from the ancient Greek heroes to The Great Gatsby. However, some of the most well-known and sophisticated tragic heroes stem from the classic tragedies written by Shakespeare. The vast majority of his characters fit into the definition of a tragic hero in …show more content…
Specifically, the protagonist in the story of Macbeth is a prime example of this type of character. In order to create a more comprehensive understanding of such a character, many academics look to Aristotle, who attempts to explicitly define their traits. In his book, Poetics, he writes that a tragic must possess three key characteristics: a fatal flaw leading to his/her downfall, a reversal of fortune, and a final state of self-awareness and knowledge. Throughout the story of Macbeth, all three of these elements are present, lending credibility to Macbeth’s identity as a tragic hero. Macbeth ends with the main character’s violent death. While similar to other murders in that it is done off stage, the circumstances surrounding it still fit into Aristotle’s first trait of a tragic hero. This is first hinted during his final encounter with Macduff when in an act of pure