The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a classic representation of a Shakespearean masterpiece. An Aristotelian tragic hero is someone of noble status who has a tragic flaw and his (or her) personality suffers a fall from grace due to that tragic flaw, only to redeem a small measure of that lost nobility through self-awareness. In this drama Macbeth is given the main role. He is a noble war hero who experiences a tragic flaw. Macbeth undoubtedly fits the definition of a tragic hero because he maintains noble status, has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall, and he manages to regain a small measure of that lost nobility when he experiences a moment of self awareness. A key aspect of an aristotelian tragic hero Macbeth clearly…
Every hero has a flaw. The Random House Dictionary defines a tragic flaw as “the character defect that causes the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy”1. Every epic poem needs a tragic hero with a flaw in order to create a conflict. Tragic flaws add depth and realism to a fiction story. Playwright William Shakespeare is famous for using this very concept and applying it to the heroes in his works. In his play, Macbeth, Shakespeare develops the concept of a tragic hero as the story unravels.…
Over time many great authors have perfected the character of the Aristotelian tragic hero. William Shakespeare is famous for his use of this character identification in many of his plays. Shakespeare uses this type of character to draw a person in and make them experience a downfall with the tragic hero. One of Shakespeare's most famous tragic heroes is Macbeth, from his play The Tragedy of Macbeth. Macbeth is an Aristotelian tragic hero because he is noble until his hubris leads to a tragic…
An Aristotelian tragic hero can be described as a literary character who makes a decision or performs an action that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. In some cases, this can be hard to detect as a reader. But, when describing Macbeth from the tragedy, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, a tragic hero is one of the first things that comes to mind. Macbeth is easily a perfect example of an Aristotelian tragic hero because of his noble status his ultimate tragic flaw, his ambitious…
The great Aristotle describes a tragic hero as having, among other characteristics: excessive pride, status, good fortune, and a fatal flaw that brings this fortune to an end. (Aristotle) In life, but especially in stories, we encounter tragic heroes, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare is an example of one such story. Macbeth’s tragic hero is particularly heroic and particularly tragic. The title character, Macbeth is incredibly prideful as seen when he trusts the witches. He is also of high…
Shakespeare introduces Macbeth to us before he physically enters the play through descriptions of his valour by others *****quotes about his bravery*****. All this greatness of character however is quickly shadowed when we are presented with a fatal flaw in Macbeth when he receives the prophecies from the witches. Here is when Macbeth’s longing ambition and power hunger seem to conquer his thoughts. These thoughts eventually bring about his tragic downfall. Shakespeare depicts this flaw greatly…
The Tragic Hero The most modern meaning of the word ‘Tragic Hero’ as defined by Dictionary.com is, "A great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat." Several key characters in the play were also affected by tragedy for a number of reasons, but without doubt, Macbeth and his reverse of fortunes are because of his own actions, and the rest of the characters are merely victims of his foul luck. From the start of the play this tragedy of his…
The Tragic Hero in Macbeth Humans possess the gift of free will and the ability to make decisions, yet it is the consequence of these choices that determine one’s future. The story of Macbeth by William Shakespeare tells the tale of a virtuous thane’s transformation into a ruthless king. Driven by his lust for power, Macbeth becomes king by means of murder, forcing him down a path of wickedness as his conscience continuously deteriorates. In this story, Macbeth would be considered a…
The presence of a tragic hero is evident in most of Shakespeare’s literature. The character of Macbeth is a well known example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. Typically, a tragic hero is represented with great stature with an aristocratic background. A tragic hero is primarily noble in nature, but suffers a self-inflicted collapse due to flaws in his or her own actions. Therefore, a tragic hero has a dreadful downfall due to those fatal flaws. This character arrives at an important discovery…
Killing everyone in sight, Macbeth has become a senseless king on a rampage. How could one picture Macbeth, such an innocent, heroic man, becoming such a cold-hearted, insane king? As the reader plunges into Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the reader follows through Macbeth’s tragedy as it unfolds. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth, the superior, honorable thane, is portrayed as a brave soldier with power and good will who is looked up to by many. As Macbeth begins to gain more and more unnecessary…