Shakespeare1

Macbeth's Evolution as a Tragic Hero

By medrox
  • Jun 2, 1111

    Macbeth the Hero!

    Macbeth the Hero!
    "O valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen" (1.2.24)
    This quotation from Duncan himself describes Macbeth as a war hero and as a greatly respected man throughout the land.
  • Jun 3, 1200

    Macbeth's Tragic Flaw Part 1

    Macbeth's Tragic Flaw Part 1
    "Two truths are told,/ Of the imperial theme-Ithank you, gentlemen.-superpernatural soliciting/ cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,/ Why hath it given me earnest of success,/ commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor./ If good, why do I yield to that suggestion,/ whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs/ Against the use of Nature? Present fears/ Are less than horrible imaginings./ My thought, whose murder yet is fantastical,/
  • Jun 3, 1200

    Macbeth's Tragic Flaw Part 2

    Macbeth's Tragic Flaw Part 2
    Shakes so my single state of man that function/ Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is,/ But what is not" (1.3.126-141) This quotation reveals Macbeth's tragic flaw. He is shown to have ambition and greed. This tragic flaw is shown after Macbeth hears the witches' prophecy.
  • Jun 4, 1300

    The Cycle of Disasters

    The Cycle of Disasters
    "And Duncan's horses, a thing most strange and certain,/ Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,/Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,/ Contending 'gainst obedience as they would/ Make war with mankind. 'Tis said, they eat eachother." (2.4.14-18)
    Duncan's murder has toppled the great chain of being. This quotation describes how horses are eating eachother, proving the dangerous state that the chain of being is in due to Macbeth's actions.
  • Jun 2, 1400

    The Death of Macbeth

    The Death of Macbeth
    "We will perform in measure, time, and place."(5.9.40) Malcom saysn this, verifying Macbeth's death as one to restore all order in Scotland.
  • Jun 2, 1500

    Sympathy for Macbeth

    Sympathy for Macbeth
    "Well, march we on/ To give obedience where 'tis truly ow'd;" (5.2.25-26) The audience feels sympathy for Macbeth in this scene as they are leaving his side to join the English army and rebel against him.

  • Macbeth is Self-Aware

    Macbeth is Self-Aware
    "Besides, this Duncan,/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hathe been/ So clear in his great office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angles, trumpet-tongu'd against/ the deep damnation of his taking-off."(1.7.14-20)
    Macbeth is describing how the murder of Duncan will have universal implications. He also proves himself to be very self-aware.