The Tragedy of MacBeth By William Shakespeare

Macbeth Tragic Hero: Corrupted by Whom?

Tragic Hero “If chance will have me king, then chance will crown me without my stir.”-Macbeth (Act II ) Is Macbeth a tragic hero by his own demise or is he the puppet-like victim of the Cruel witches? Is he ever offered a moment of grace to change? Does he deserve his demise? Does he leave with any redeeming qualities?

Master of his fate or puppet? “ Are you a man?” –Lady Macbeth “I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none.”- Macbeth (Act II)

Side One: Macbeth’s His Own Man He is a valiant and loyal warrior. He is young and ambitious. He has set himself in a position for a very bright future: “I have begun to plant thee and make thee full of growing.” – Duncan (Act I)

Side Two: Macbeth’s a Puppet The witches allude to power over Macbeth from Act I, Scene I. The witches use Banquo to spur Macbeth’s ambition. Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth and insults his manhood. The witches use ambiguous prophecies to create a false sense of security. “And you all know security is mortal’s chiefest enemy.” – Hecate (Act IV)

A Major Factor: Overvaulting Ambition Macbeth finds Malcolm a threat to his future and feels he must act: “…that is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap.” – Macbeth (Act II) Macbeth has strong misgivings about killing Duncan, but continues anyway: “We will proceed no further in this business.” – Macbeth (Act II) Macbeth realizes that he must finish what he started: “We have scotched the snake, not killed it.” - Macbeth (Act IV)

Amazing grace: He ignored the sound/sight. Macbeth has an opportunity to prevent his tragic downfall, but he follows the “fatal vision” anyway. Before killing Duncan, he is taunted by his better judgement, but continues: “He’s here in double trust…” – Macbeth (Act II) He instantly regrets his deed, but kills again: “Wake Duncan.... I would I could’st” –Macbeth (Act II)

A Well-deserved Demise All tragic heroes must fall. Macbeth went from “necessary” murders (Duncan) to “recreational” murders (Lady MacDuff & Family). His ambition blinded him (“But I’ll make assurance double sure…” –Macbeth Act IV)

“At least we’ll die with armor on our backs.” –Macbeth (Act V) Ironically, when Macbeth has us convinced he deserves his fate and has let ambition corrupt him, he becomes the old valiant warrior he once was, making us wonder if he might have been a puppet after all.