Tragic Flaw In Macbeth

The Serpent and the Deceived

A flaw, a fault in a person that translates through their actions and consequences. Some refer to flaws as “perfect imperfections,” attempting to normalize their existence. This is not the case in Macbeth, where one fatal flaw can be the difference between life and death. In the world of Shakespeare, tragedy is often paired with a comical aspect such as a wedding; as is the case with the plays, As You Like It and Othello. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is unique in the fact that it is inarguably a tragedy from beginning to end, with elements of vice and deceit playing large roles in the plot. Shakespeare emphasizes the rise and fall of his main character, Macbeth, painting him in a complex way; one that is left

It is here that Shakespeare strategically introduces Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth’s hunger for power directly promotes the same in her husband, pushing him to satisfy the dark wishes that are already brewing in the back of his mind. While Lady Macbeth leads him to murder, Macbeth already has this idea planted in his mind; all Lady Macbeth does is pry it out of him. A remnant of these ideas are seen in Macbeth’s soliloquy after the witches tell him of the prophecy. “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires” It is here where we see how Macbeth has been influenced by the newfound idea of sovereignty. He calls his desires “black and deep”; this use of imagery demonstrates the darkness and malice in his thoughts as he processes the idea of becoming king. Macbeth clearly understands that the only way for him to become king is if Duncan dies. He knows that if he wants to achieve the power that he seeks, he will have to commit acts that go against his morality, so instead he wishes for his desires to be kept secret. This quote is important as it reveals the beginning of Macbeth’s inner conflict of the ambition that is uncovered through his slow yearning for the power that has been promised to him. This quote is from Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 1 scene 4, reiterating the idea that Macbeth’s downfall was a result of his own catastrophic flaws rather than the influence

Through the use of personification in this quote, Macbeth refers to his ambition as if it were an object, calling it “vaulting”. There lies the suggestion that the ambition with which Macbeth acts is not just a flaw in character, but a core and fundamental reality. Prior to Duncan’s death, the concept of becoming king was a mere desire. It remained something that seemed nearly unattainable. However, now that the king has been killed, Macbeth comes to a crossroads where he is struck with the realization that he can achieve his darkest desires. Through this, his sense of ambition and hunger for power grows until he becomes willing to do whatever necessary to ensure that nothing holds him back from that power. As Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid about his status and power, the more his ambition changes his direction. He becomes crazed over how he can fulfill the