The Destruction Of Macbeth's Hamartia In Macbeth

In the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, Macbeth demonstrates his hamartia which causes the downfall of his character. Macbeth, from the tragic play “Macbeth” most certainly demonstrates the character of a typical tragic hero. Firstly, Macbeth begins the play demonstrating his noble character, his goodness, and the fact that he is well loved. Secondly, as the play progresses, the three witches act upon Macbeth and his desire for power creates his tragic flaw and leads him to the destruction of his character. Finally, the ambition of Macbeth and the influence of Lady Macbeth produce the ultimate destruction of Macbeth and those around him.

Firstly, Macbeth begins the play demonstrating his noble character, his goodness, and the fact that

Macbeth is a man who has a hidden desire for power. At the very start of the play when Macbeth first meets the witches, they are the ones who plant the idea of killing the king in Macbeth’s head. As the witches tell Macbeth that he will be thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor, and future king of Scotland, he has to decide whether he will believe his prophecies and says: “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir.”(Shakespeare 1.3.154-1560). This statement indicates that Macbeth now believes that he will become King of Scotland. He knows from Banquo’s prophecies that his descendants will be kings so he thinks he has to kill Banquo to keep his prophecy true. As the play goes on, Macbeth depends more on the witches prophecies which corrupts his character. Macbeth states “ Only for them; and mine eternal jewel/Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th’ utterance” (3.1.72-76). This statement shows that Macbeth could never watch Banquo’s sons become kings so he will have to change fate to battle and fight to death. Macbeth’s desire for power caused him to slaughter Lady Macduff and her children because they were a threat to his throne. He shows that he no longer protects people in Scotland,

After the witches told Macbeth about his bright future of king in Scotland, his noble character seemed to fade and it was replaced with a lust for power. When he was hesitating about killing the king, Lady Macbeth mocks his courage by insulting his masculinity and calling him a coward. Macbeth agreed to murder duncan and he was named the king of Scotland. As Macbeth follows his ambition rather than his conscience , his morals and noble character are corrupted and he gains more confidence and power stating: “From this moment, The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand”(4.1.161-163). This statement demonstrates that as soon as Macbeth decides to do something, he will do it immediately with actions. By the end of the play Macbeth was attached to all four murders that occurred in protection of his kingship. Macbeth’s ambition stops him from seeing the destructive path he has created making him paranoid and impatient killing anyone who has a threat to his crown. There is lots of debate in the literary world whether or not Macbeth is accountable for the crimes he does throughout the play. Ultimately, it was Macbeth’s imagination of his ambitions that caused him to do harm. He makes himself believe that he is above the monarchy and he will challenge authority. A.C Bradley is a Shakespearean critic who argues for this idea. He