Macbeth

A detailed Summary of Macbeth

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespear the main character Macbeth is a tragic hero according to Aristotle's characteristics of a tragic hero because he posses each of these characteristics. The first characteristic of a tragic hero that Macbeth possesses is that he is famous for being the man who led the Scottish army to victory in two recent battles. He is noble in the sense that he has the respect of his king and that he is respected by most people as one of if not the best warrior in Scotland. He is also prosperous as his king will reward him greatly for the service he has done for his country as Duncan gives him the title of Thane of Cawdor. The next characteristic of a tragic hero that Macbeth has is that he is neither wholly good nor wholly evil by doing some good things such as saving his country from certain defeat, but he does do some things that could only be thought of as pure evil such as killing his king. The final characteristic that proves Macbeth as a tragic heroes the fact that he makes a vital mistake at some point in the course of the play in this case it is the fact that he made the choice to kill Duncan. With these facts combined I intend to prove that Macbeth is a Tragic hero according to Aristotles chara

The second characteristic of a tragic hero according to Aristotle's view of tragedy is that the character must not be purely good nor purely evil, this characteristic is again another attribute that Macbeth possesses. The first example if Macbeth showing his good side that I have chosen to tell about is that he has defended his country in battle saving it from defeat on two sides "they were As cannons overcharged with double cracks; So they Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe"(1.2-36). The next example of Macbeth showing his good side is when he comes home and is greeted by Lady Macbeth he shows he is a loving husband "My dearest love"(1.5-57). Macbeth had a very evil side to him as well as a good side thus making him not entirely good nor entirely evil. The first example of Macbeth showing his evil side is when he betrays and kills the man he has sworn loyalty to, King Duncan. "I have done the deed. -Didst thou not hear a noise?"(2.2-14). He shows his evil side again with the ordering of another murder, this time his long time friend and comrade in arms Banquo. "Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy"(3.1-114). The combination of these facts show that Macbeth possesses the second characteristic of a tragic hero that he is neither wholly good nor wholly evil. Although the evil side may be predominant he still has some good in him.

In conclusion the Macbeth is a tragic hero according to Aristotle's view of tragedy because Macbeth has all of the characteristics of a tragi

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Approximate Word count = 1000
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English