Tragic Hero – Someone who by a weakness of character brings about their own downfall.

By this definition Macbeth is a tragic hero. It is Macbeth’ s ‘vaulting ambition’ that lead him to his downfall. It clouds his judgement and eventually he grows into a evil and cruel man who doesn’t care if he kills anyone.

At the start of the play we hear about how noble and brave Macbeth is. In the next scene Macbeth meets the witches who give him the prophecies. Then when the first of these comes true and Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth is shocked. His mind soon turns to murder but at this moment in the he is repelled by the idea and will not interfere with fate.

‘If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir’.

But later, when Macbeth hears that the Malcolm is named as the heir to the throne, Macbeth'

Macbeth ambitions eventually drive him to senseless acts of violence and murder of innocent people. He wants to stay as king and when he is warned by the witches to be careful of Macduff. He decides to kill Macduff’s wife, child and everyone else in Macduff’s castle without actually thinking about it: ‘The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge of the sword His wife; his babes, and all unfortunate soul That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool’

‘The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step, which I must fall down or else o-er- leap, For it lies in my way. Star’s hide your fires! Let light not see my deep and dark desires’.

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