Macbeth - The Tragic Hero

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper argues that through a series of bad decisions, Macbeth single-handedly ruins his own life. By allowing himself to be influenced by outside forces, Macbeth diffuses his own moral strength and good nature, which were the very things that led him to greatness. The writer shows how, step-by-step throughout the play, the reader can watch Macbeth's character deteriorate until he has nothing left. It concludes that Macbeth might have been a tragic hero, but the tragedy was of his own making.

From the Paper:

"In the beginning of the play, Macbeth demonstrates characteristics of a hero and a leader. His loyalty to the king transforms into a desire to be king. This is evident in the first scene when Macbeth encounters the witches and falls victim to their curses and predictions. Because of his false sense of security, he believes everything they say. In a rather simple move, they have successfully tempted him with the idea of becoming king. Macbeth reveals his weakness in character when he allows himself to be swayed by what the witches tell him. Shakespeare paints a picture of a man that is somehow mesmerized by them and lulled into a "fantastical" state of mind (1. 3. 139). Because he listens to them, he opens the door to fear and doubt; by believing what they say, he welcomes ambition."

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