Macbeth Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is a literary character who makes an error in judgment that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. Macbeth has a tragic flaw of ambition that forces him to destroy anyone who presents an obstacle between him and his crown. Macbeth is a tragic hero. First, a tragic hero must be of “noble character and exhibit greatness.” Macbeth begins the play as Thane of Glamis. After defeating Macdonwald in battle, Macbeth rises to even higher status - the “most worthy thane” (I.iii.109). King Duncan bestows the title of Thane of Cawdor upon Macbeth to show his gratitude for Macbeth’s defeat of Macdonwald. This title is awarded to Macbeth when Duncan orders Ross to pronounce Macdonwald’s death “and with his former title greet Macbeth”

Macbeth’s tragic flaw is ambition, which led to his decision to kill King Duncan. In his soliloquy from act one scene seven, Macbeth is deciding whether or not to kill Duncan. The soliloquy starts off with Macbeth saying that “we teach bloody instructions, which being taught return to plague th’ inventor” (I.vii.8-9), which means that when we commit violent crimes, we teach others to do the same and eventually, the evil will come back to haunt the person that started the chain of violent acts. Macbeth also discusses that he shouldn’t betray Duncan because he is “his kinsman and his subject” (I.vii.13) and “strong both against the deed” (I.vii.14), so he should protect Duncan at all costs. Macbeth also defends Duncan’s leadership skills in lines 16-20. Macbeth says that Duncan is a humble leader, so free of corruption that his virtuous legacy will speak when he dies, as if angels were playing trumpets against the injustice of his death. Macbeth also realizes that the people of Scotland love and admire Duncan so deeply that they will be in mourning once they learn of his death. When in mourning, angels “shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind” (I.vii.24-25). After Macbeth is done debating the pros and cons of committing the murder, he states that the only thing motivating him to murder Duncan is his ambition, as he states “I have no spur to prick the sides of