The Tragedy of Macbeth: King Duncan named Thane of Cawdor and Glamis

Macbeth
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Macbeth
The Greek philosopher Aristotle defined a tragic hero as prominent figure or the main character in a film or novel with a fatal characteristic that ultimately leads to his/her downfall. The same idea is shared by Shakespeare in his works. He portrays a tragic hero as a royal and famous person whose personality flaws cause them to fall from grace to grass and with most of them losing their lives at the end of the play. Macbeth plays the character of the tragic hero in the play “The Tragedy of Macbeth”.
Macbeth is introduced as a noble person by King Duncan and named Thane of Cawdor and Glamis which not only show his stature in the society but also that he is a respectable man. In addition, the author highlights Macbeth’s greatness in two scenes. First of all, his greatness comes forth when he initially rejects the prophecies of the three witches that he will be named the “Thane of Cawdor” and that he will father to many generations of kings. Secondly, his greatness is also highlighted when he shuts down his wife’s suggestion to assassinate the king. Furthermore, from his encounters in the battlefield as the captain his bravery and abilities in war come to light. He is also seen as an honorable, respectable and loyal man when he initially refuses to assassinate the king.
Nonetheless, like any tragic hero Macbeth had many bad characteristics that ultimately led to his demise. He is shown as a very ambitious person who being named the king was more important than anything in his life. His ambition drove him to go against his honor and loyalty and commit murder, although after strategic convincing from his wife, Lady Macbeth. We note how his ambition forces him to plot and murder King Duncan and his close friend Banguo and finally assume the throne. Furthermore, his ambition made him susceptible to wrong prophecies and bad advices attributing as one of his flaws that also lead to his death. The narrative notes of Macbeth’s confusion after hearing the prophecies of the three witches as he strives to understand how he will be named king. He is also easily influenced by his wife who was also so fascinated with the idea of being a queen to murder King Duncan, a thought he had since gone against. The play further notes Macbeth’s pride when he finally accepts to kill the king after his wife calls him a coward and a weak man who doesn&rs...