Macbeth's Decline Essay

A Tragic Hero is a common figure in many of Shakespeares works. A Tragic Hero is usually a figure of royalty, fame or greatness. This person is predominately good, but falls from prominence due to personality flaws that eventually lead to self-destruction. Macbeths major flaws are his ambition and impressionability. Due to their flaws, a Tragic Heros actions are often atrocious and cause them to battle with their conscience after their desires have been accomplished. These battles with their conscience evoke empathy from the audience. A Shakespearean Tragic Hero will always lose their life in the end of the play as a result of re-establishment of what is good in the play. In Shakespeares Macbeth, the title figure of the play can be seen as the Tragic Hero.

There are many factors which contribute to the decline of Macbeth. The three main factors which contribute greatly to Macbeth's degeneration are the prophecies which were told to him by the witches, Lady Macbeths influence and ability to manipulate Macbeth's judgment, and finally Macbeth's long time ambition which drove his desire to be king. Macbeth's growing character decays from a noble man to a violent individual.

When the play begins, Macbeths greatness is already established. Macbeth has already earned the title of Thane of Glamis and will soon become the Thane of Cawdor. The fact that he has these titles demonstrates to the reader that Macbeth is good and an important figure of responsibility. He is also addressed as "Valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen." (Shakespeare 1:2 26), "Brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name." (Shakespeare 1:2 18) and as "Worthy Thane." by King Duncan. They way in which he is addressed by the influential members of his country further informs the reader that Macbeth is respectable. However, after Macbeth interacts with the three witches, his curiosity is stirred by their prophecies, especially their prediction that he will become king. He commits murder in order to fulfill their prophecy and then returns to the three witches a second time for reassurance. The three witches, with the aid of three apparitions, then revealed to Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 1 the following prophecies:

Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Than of Fife!Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm MacbethBe lion-mettled, proud and take no care who chafes, who frets or where conspirers are. Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.

(Shakespeare 4:1 80-107)

Because of these predictions, Macbeth believes that no one can harm him. However, this is a false sense of security. Macduff, who was born by a Caesarean section and therefore was not born of woman, ultimately killed Macbeth, thus revealing that the witches predictions were only half-truths.

Macbeths good nature is increasingly defeated by one of his major flaws-ambition. His ambition and desire to become king leads Macbeth to take rash and sudden actions that are immoral. This includes ordering the murders of his friend Banquo and his son and Lady Macduff and her children, as well as personally handling the murder of King Duncan. His ambition is also displayed by his willingness to kill anyone who threatens his power.

Macbeth is largely influenced not only by the three witches, but by Lady Macbeth as well. Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to murder the king, Duncan. She helps plan out the murder and even offers to do it herself. When Macbeth changes his mind and decides not to carry out Duncans murder, Lady Macbeth questions his masculinity and love for her.

[We will proceed no further in this business.] From this time such I account thy love. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine act and valor as thou art in desire? Woudst thou have that which thou esteemst the ornament of life and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would", like the poor cat I th adage?When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than you were, you would be so much more than a manThey have made themselves and that their fitness now does unmake you

(Shakespeare 1:7 34-62)

After Lady Macbeth accuses him of acting like a coward, he agrees to continue with Duncans murder.

Macbeth is a prime example of a Shakespearean Tragic Hero. He is represented as a good man who, through his major character flaws- ambition and impressionability- falls from grace. After struggling with his conscience over the evil deeds he had committed throughout the play, Macbeth is killed and the rightful heir to the throne is restored to power.