The classic tragic hero, described as someone who is of noble stature, falls from a height of prosperity and tragic flaws, as well as experiences hardships of suffering and demise, is evidently seen in the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. The protagonist, Macbeth, first establishes these qualities when he is deeply impelled by his outside forces and their prophecies. Subsequently, another occurrence is when he loses all compassion for those close to him and focuses towards his one aspiration, power. Macbeth goes through a dynamic turmoil throughout the tragedy and alters himself for the worse. In one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Macbeth, the play’s central character is clearly portrayed as a classic tragic hero because this noble
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Macbeth commences the story with a caring, empathic way of being, but concludes in an altered, selfish “tyrant” persona as Macduff says, including losing the consideration of humanity. One area where he shows this negative trait is when he states, “she should have died hereafter” and “canst thou not minister to a mind diseased” (Shakespeare 5.5.17, 5.3.42). Here, Macbeth’s egocentricity is manifested when he shares how the doctor should just kill his ill wife and how he does not have the precious time to worry about her issues because he ranks his power over the wellness of others. Another detail that displays his lust for power overtaking his sympathy for others is when he realizes the harsh reality he thinks is life. In his troubled state, he expresses his true thoughts in “life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more….signifying nothing,” (Shakespeare 5.5. 24-28). Macbeth believes the gift is life is pointless and just a mere illusion, worth nothing in the end of it all. Not only does he feel that the lives of others including his own wife are worthless, but Macbeth feels the need to take his own friend’s life because that man stands in the way of his power. When Macbeth hears the news that Banquo will be the father of a king, he is outraged and begins a plot to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance. His plans can be seen coming together in “acquaint you the perfect spy o’ th’ time, the moment on ‘t, for ‘t must be done tonight….Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, whose absence is no less material to me than is his father’s, must embrace the fate of that dark hour,” (Shakespeare 3.1.135-136, 140-143). In this intense scene, Macbeth shares his proposal or tactics to the murderers, mentioning that he will tell them when to begin the act and how the son, Fleance,
Macbeth commences the story with a caring, empathic way of being, but concludes in an altered, selfish “tyrant” persona as Macduff says, including losing the consideration of humanity. One area where he shows this negative trait is when he states, “she should have died hereafter” and “canst thou not minister to a mind diseased” (Shakespeare 5.5.17, 5.3.42). Here, Macbeth’s egocentricity is manifested when he shares how the doctor should just kill his ill wife and how he does not have the precious time to worry about her issues because he ranks his power over the wellness of others. Another detail that displays his lust for power overtaking his sympathy for others is when he realizes the harsh reality he thinks is life. In his troubled state, he expresses his true thoughts in “life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more….signifying nothing,” (Shakespeare 5.5. 24-28). Macbeth believes the gift is life is pointless and just a mere illusion, worth nothing in the end of it all. Not only does he feel that the lives of others including his own wife are worthless, but Macbeth feels the need to take his own friend’s life because that man stands in the way of his power. When Macbeth hears the news that Banquo will be the father of a king, he is outraged and begins a plot to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance. His plans can be seen coming together in “acquaint you the perfect spy o’ th’ time, the moment on ‘t, for ‘t must be done tonight….Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, whose absence is no less material to me than is his father’s, must embrace the fate of that dark hour,” (Shakespeare 3.1.135-136, 140-143). In this intense scene, Macbeth shares his proposal or tactics to the murderers, mentioning that he will tell them when to begin the act and how the son, Fleance,