Macbeth is not a victim of fate. A tragic hero is someone who through no fault of his own follows a path of evil. Macgeth chooses to utilize whatever evil he deems necessary to assuage his insecurities and to achieve his selfish aspirations. His overpowering need to prove his manhood, his vain and insatiable ambition ultimately transform him into a bloodthirsty tyrant. His ascent to power is ironically paralleled by his moral decay. Macbeth is not a tragic hero because he is a villain by intent. He chooses the evil and violence that inevitably consume him. The only tragic thing is the pain and anarchy this supposed hero leaves in his wake.

Though not a hero, Macbeth is unaplogetically human. The issue of Macbeth's manhood constantly arises. Lady Macbeth manipulates her indecisive husband incessantly, disparaging his masculinity. Many of Macbeth's actions could be seen as attempts to vindicate his manhood. In weak opposition to the murder and

Macbeth's vain ambition consumes him. After hearing the witches' prophecy, Macbeth concluded,(Act 1, 3, 43144) "If chance will have me king, why then chance may crown me without my stir. Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor, yet when Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland(hence heir to the throne), Macbeth's immediate response is anger and disbelief. He believes he is the rightful heir. He is dissatisfied. (Act 1, Sc.4, 48-53)"The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/On which I must fall down or o'er leap/For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!/ Let not light see my black and deep desires/The eye wink at the hand: yet let that be/ Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see." Macbeth mentions his 'black and deep desires.' He wants to be king and he intends to do whatever it takes. When Macbeth is crowned King, his ambition mounts. Now having power, he wants security.(Act 3,Sc.1,48) "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus." The throne he has gained is not enough. He wants his lineage continued. Unfortunately, he has no children. The witches prophesized that Banquo was to be the father of a line of kings. However, Macbeth wants to be the sole benefactor of his crimes. (Act 3, Sc.1, 66-68) " For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd/Put rancours in the vessel of my peace/Only for them and mine eternal jewel." Ma

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Approximate Word count = 907
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)