Macbeth's Transition Into A Tragic Hero

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Many Shakespearean heroes go through a tragic downfall. In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, one can argue that the cause of Macbeth’s transition into a tragic hero is accredited to the witches and the supernatural elements in the play. The play begins with the first supernatural element when Macbeth pays a visit to the witches. From then on, this tragic hero takes a turn for the worst. He soon begins to see floating daggers and his best friend’s ghost. Finally, Macbeth visits the witches again and is given the rest of his fate, giving him all of the confidence in the world. The supernatural elements in “Macbeth” play an important role in the explanation of why the King of Scotland develops into a tragic hero.
Would Macbeth have made it to the throne …show more content…

The King of Scotland pays one last visit to the witches. Three apparitions appear displaying three different messages about his fate. The first image warns Macbeth of Macduff. The second relays the message that no one born of a woman can harm him. Finally, the third message tells Macbeth he will continue his reign of king until Birnam Forest moves to Dunsinane. The witches cause Macbeth to believe he is basically immortal. “Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all. / Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane / I cannot taint with fear” (Shakespeare V.III.1-3). He hardly protects himself against the 10,000 soldiers wanting to see his head on a pole.
Whether it was the witches, floating daggers, or bloody children appearing in front of Macbeth, the supernatural element in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, played a large role in the downfall of the tragic hero, Macbeth. Without Macbeth knowing his fate of becoming king, a dagger leading him to kill King Duncan, and the belief that he is immortal, many of the innocent people Macbeth killed would be alive. Although it was ultimately his choice in committing these murders, the supernatural elements cause Macbeth to have to make a choice in the first place. Knowing the power he could possess is what made the choice

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