Macbeth - Tragic Hero? By Renata Altamirano

Renata Altamirano 10A Literature Miss Thompson 11/06/2007.

Macbeth: Tragic Hero?

In the play “Macbeth” by the legendary William Shakespeare, the main protagonist, Macbeth, can be referred as a tragic hero. Throughout the play, his language, attitude, and thoughts are changed by influences evil like his wife, Lady Macbeth. He ends as an evil king who will do anything for his own benefits although at the beginning of the play he was a hero coming successful after a battle.

The previous Thane of Cawdor betrayed King Duncan, in recognition for Macbeth’s triumph at the battle; Macbeth is given the title of Thane of Cawdor. Not too long afterwards, the Three Witches say to Macbeth: “All hail Macbeth, hail thee, Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor that shalt be king here after”. This shows how Macbeth’s fate is going to change. He thinks that the only way to become king is by killing King Duncan. Macbeth takes poor decision producing craziness and power-hungry ambitions.

The Three Witches plan telling Macbeth his future after the battle; “Upon the heath”, they say. They have a particular style of speech and a curious language. They use a great opposite making Macbeth a little confused: “Fair is foul and foul is fair”, meaning good is bad and bad is good. This sentence makes you think about a lot of what are they meaning.

The wounded Captain reports King Duncan about the battle with Macdonald. Macbeth fought against King Macdonald’s strong army but still he killed him wining the battle. Afterwards, Macbeth and Banquo have to fight fearless against a Norwegian assault beating them as well. This shows how Macbeth is a strong hero who can lead his troop and be faithful and keep his allegiance with the King Duncan. The captain’s story about the battle is said in a metaphorical language creating an atmosphere. You can also see how the Captain admirers Macbeth since he says great things about him: “But all’s too weak, for brave Macbeth –well he deserves that name-.”

The Witches’ prophecy is that Macbeth will be king and as well as Banquo’s descendants. “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail Macbeth and Banquo.” First, Macbeth is speechless and he is amazed by the predictions about his future. Banquo is also astonished but demands to know more but about his own future. Both men act confused and amazed of what they have just seen and heard.

Duncan warmly welcomes Macbeth and is full of gratitude for his service. Duncan gives credit to Macbeth’s loyalty and he promises his a generous reward. After he names his son Malcolm Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth looks really shocked and worryingly. We speaks to himself using many monosyllabic words, “Let not light see my black and deep desires […]”, starting to show his evil intentions. After hearing the Witches’ prophecy, he is very disappointed at Duncan for not naming him Thane of Cawdor.

Lady Macbeth reads her husbands letter telling her of the Witches prophecy. She plans to kill Duncan when he goes over their castle the next day. When she says “illness”, she means evil, and she fears that Macbeth is too decent to murder Duncan. Macbeth responses with confidence-less and worries about what will come after. Lady Macbeth pressures Macbeth to murdered King Duncan and calls him a coward, manipulating him and taking control over the entire situation. Macbeth starts hallucinating and he sees blood-stained daggers; this shows how he is feeling with evil images and thoughts. “Is this dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” They do everything as planed; drank the guards and cover them with blood, kill King Duncan and go to sleep trying to pretend nothing happened. Macduff sees Duncan is dead; Macbeth acts normal appearing he has calmed the worrying he had the night before. Eventually, Macbeth becomes king but Banquo fears that he became king by evil means.

Macbeth now as the king calls for two Murderers to kill Banquo since he fears he will be his enemy since he knows about the prophecy. At the banquet he imagines seeing Banquo’s ghost and looks crazy and confused, therefore Lady Macbeth has to calm him so he doesn’t look any suspicious. Macbeth thinks his fears are over but when the Murders tell him Fleance (Banquo’s son) escaped, his fears emerge again seen Banquo’s ghost. “How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags! What is’t you do?” Macbeth challenges the Witches to answer them what he asks. The witches show him several apparitions and Macbeth is determined to kill Macduff, but after hearing he left to England he decides to also kill all his family. A soldier tells Macbeth that Malcolm, Young Siward and Macduff with an army are approaching, he is challenged by Young Siward so he worries and knows the coming battle will break him, but he manages to kill him. Macbeth has almost lost any sense of fear, he fears of Lady Macbeth’s mental disorders and later when he is told she is dead, he is feeling sorry for himself for not going to be able to have any children. But he is determined to die fighting. He refuses to fight Macduff since he relays on the prophecy that he cannot be killed by “one of woman born” but after Macduff tell him he was born differently he realizes the Witches’ prophecies were half-truth and mislead him.

Macbeth tries to keep on fighting but he is killed by Macduff. He displays Macbeths’ head and hails Malcolm as King of Scotland; “Hail, king, for thou art. Behold where stands th’usurper’s cursed head.” Malcolm rewards his nobles for all their services and gives a final speech saying their victory will restore peace, order justice and harmony on Scotland. He says how Macbeth’s ambition was power-hungry and he is hoping for future peace and is against of war and oppression.