Macbeth Tragic Hero Essay

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Macbeth would be considered a typical tragic hero. When readers are first introduced to his character, Macbeth seems brave, noble, and loyal. Many other characters also view Macbeth in this light. However throughout the story, Macbeth changes. There are many different factors that add to the deterioration of Macbeth’s judgement and character. Macbeth’s character worsens from a noble man to a violent, lonely person making him a perfect example for a tragic hero. One big contributing factor to the degeneration of Macbeth would be the prophecies told by the witches. When the three witches meet Macbeth, they tell him: FIRST WITCH. All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! SECOND WITCH. All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! THIRD WITCH. All hail,…show more content…
The prophecies resulted in Macbeth being curious as to how he would become King of Scotland. As the play develops, Macbeth begins to slowly depend upon the witches’ predictions/prophecies. Shakespeare used the witches to Azevedo 2 decay Macbeth’s character and judgement, not directly, but ultimately contributing to his self-destructive pattern. Another contributing factor to the fall of Macbeth could be his wife’s influence and pressure on him. Once Lady Macbeth knew of the prophecies told by the witches and how they were becoming a reality, she grew power hungry, and she would not be satisfied until her husband became King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth was the one who devised the plan to murder King Duncan, and pressured her husband into committing the crime. After reading a letter from her husband about the witches’ prophecies, Lady Macbeth says: Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be

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