Macbeth Is A Tragic Hero :: essays research papers

Macbeth Is A Tragic Hero     One might choose to assent to the statement, "Macbeth is a tragic hero."This conclusion may be based upon certain char effecteristics , proposed byAristotle, that warrants him worthy of such a title. Aristotle stated that atragic hero must be of certain qualities a bit of noble stature, favourable, thoughnot perfect, have a fall that results from committing an act of injustice, whichis his own fault, and receive a punishment that exceeds the crime.     A tragic hero is unity of noble stature, and is good. Macbeth is known asthe Thane of Cawdor. He receives this honor because he has just returned from amilitary success that has covered him in glory. Macbeth can be considered"good" at the start of the work. He is good, although he is not perfect. He hasa good heart and is in a keen state of mind in advance he hears the witchesprophecy. Macbeth does not begin to become evil until he is convinced to act onthe prophecy by Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is the evil single who poisonsMacbeths mind although, she is only encouraging her husband to do what shefeels is in his best interest.     The heros free fall is his own fault, the result of his own free choice,not the result of an disaster or fate. An accident and/or fate may be acontributing factor in the heros downfall, but are not alone responsible.Macbeths downfall is entirely his fault. He chose to listen to the witchesprophecy. Banquo heard the same prophecy, but chose not to allow himself to beduped. Macbeth could have done the same thing. He, instead, chose to acceptthe prophecy and act upon it. Macbeth spends most of the play in moralindecision. Lady Macbeth encourages him, but it is he that chooses his actions.     A tragic heros misfortune is not wholly deserved. The punishmentexceeds the crime. Macbeth does not in all deserve to die as a result of theseincidents. He begins the work as a good man, but later declines because of thedesires of his wife, and bad choices. Macbeth does not compliments to kill anyone, butdoes it. He is a person of greatness, but is also of weakness.