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Was Macbeth a Tragic Hero?

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Was Macbeth a Tragic Hero?
Jusline Hajar
Mrs. Kadaoui
English 20
May 20 2013
The Epidemic Of a Tragic Hero Macbeth is a very tragic story. Three witches tell Macbeth that he will become the thane of Cawdor, the thane of glams and will also become the king. Macbeth overcomes and fails throughout this story to try and make these prophesies reality. Macbeth goes through many situations and faces many deaths as he thrives to become leader. A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. Macbeth had courage throughout the play; he was frightened as to what the fight for leader could of done to him. He achieved many things to a certain extent; he passed and failed at times but never gave up. Although Macbeth fails to meet quite a few characteristics of a tragic hero, his most important awareness of his own tragic flaw is what solemnly makes him a tragic hero.

At the beginning of this play Macbeth is a substantial Scottish general and thane of Glamis. Following an important battle three witches tell Macbeth that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. When Macbeth is granted Cawdor by the King Duncan, he takes the witches words for veracity and schemes against King Duncan with his wife. The thought of more power sounded astonishing to Macbeth, which triggered his tragic flaws. Macbeth and his wife overcome the task to kill the king and Macbeth becomes King of Scotland. Macbeth then senses threat from a noble friend of his named Banquo. He hires 2 murderers to kill Banquo. He also succeeds in this assignment. Macbeth didn’t think that all this power was enough and desired more so he decided to go back to the three witches. The witches show Macbeth three things; 1) A bloody baby saying “ Beware Macduff” 2) A bloody helmet saying that he cant be killed by anyone born of women 3) A child witch holds a crown and a tree branch saying that he doesn’t need to worry until Birnam woods move to Dunsane. Macbeth didn’t



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