According to Aristotle: “a tragic hero is a character of noble stature”. It is seen that Macbeth is a respected nobleman as he is titled “Thane of Cawdor and Glamis”. “Brave Macbeth” is a mighty warrior, and so holds good company with his kinsman, King Duncan; who greets him as “Worthy cousin”.
While he is of nobility, Macbeth does display “hamartia”, thus making it easier for the readers to “identify with the tragic hero”. The fatal flaw evident of his character throughout Macbeth, is his “vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself” that causes him to “play most foully” for a gain in stature. He is not satisfied with his title as Thane, he wants to be king. When he is king, he wants to kill any competition (Banquo’s son Flaence). As the play progresses, Macbeth also starts to shows blatant “hubris”, believing that he “bears a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born”.
Nevertheless, his character flaws are not wholly to blame for his tragic demise. Witches plant the seeds of “black and deep desire” within Macbeth by speaking in equivocations. They greet Macbeth as “Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, that shalt be king hereafter”. When he confides in his wife, he lights the fire of yearning within her too. Lady Macbeth then “pours spirits in his ear” telling him to “look like th’innocent flower but be the serpent under it”. She sways Macbeth, calling him a “coward”, when he wants no further part in the evil plot.
In turn, Macbeth realises that he was manipulated by the witches. He curses them for their lies; “accursed be that tongue that tells me so”. When he realises his imminent death, Macbeth, becomes cowardly for the first time. He “will not fight ” Macduff. It is when Macbeth exhibits this dread, regret and heartbreak; that pity finally creeps into the hearts and minds of the readers. They can once again relate to this character, which then causes them to feel his fear and anguish.
All in all, “Brave Macbeth” is the embodiment of Aristotle’s classification of a “tragic hero”. Neither his titles nor his heroism in the field of battle could save him from himself or the trickery of those around him.
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