Characteristics Of A Hero In Shakespeare's Macbeth As A Tragic Hero

According to Webster’s dictionary, the term hero is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. The perfect example is displayed in one of Shakespeare’s many, yet popular, works entitled “Macbeth”. There are an assembly of factors that contribute to Macbeth being labelled as a tragic hero. Before these factors are discussed, it is extremely important to understand what means make up the characteristics of a tragic hero. Typically, it is a figure of high stature with a noble background. This person is mainly good, but suffers a self-inflicted falling out due to flaws in their personality. The character reaches a point where a situation that completely alters the current predicament
With the bloody path he had made for himself, his fall from power was inevitable. Macbeth’s bloody actions ended with him having to fear for his own life, as thousands in Scotland wanted him dead. Macbeth was aware that his evil deeds would lead to people wanting revenge. However, he did not fear these people, as he fell for the deceptive words of the witches. The three witches told him to be bold and fearless, that no man born of a woman could defeat him, and that he will never be defeated until the trees of Great Birnam Wood attack Dunsinane. Macbeth saw both of these things as impossible, so he did little to protect his castle. He was surprised when he was told that the forest was indeed attacking his castle, which was actually Macduff’s army carrying branches as a means of camouflage. His true anagnorisis came during his battle with Macduff, where Macduff revealed he was not born of woman, rather he was ripped form his mother’s womb, implying a Caesarean section. In this moment Macbeth was enlightened about his vulnerability. Macduff goes on to behead Macbeth, ensuring that his own family did not die in vain. With his death, Macbeth solidifies himself as a tragic hero. The audience learns the dangers of ambition, and good is reestablished. Macbeth fits every characteristic of a Greek and Shakespearean tragic hero. The audience gets to see the full cycle of a rise to power, followed by a great demise. His ambition leads to his degeneration as a character which resulted in his ultimate downfall, death. Macbeth displays all the characteristics of a tragic hero, making him an infamous character in Shakespeare’s time as well as present