Shakespeares Macbeth is a Tragic Hero Essay -- GCSE English Literatur

Macbeth is a Tragic torpedo In human racey respects Macbeth, of Shakespeares play Macbeth is the least(prenominal) estimable sad hero of literature. Typical tragic heroes have at least a few admirable character traits. One whitethorn, or may not like the hero, but on that point is something in their characters or their maculation on which one tail assembly hang some sympathy, even if there is not enough for us to rationalize away their actions. But Macbeth is a mass murderer, who does away with friends, colleagues, women and children, often for no apparent reason other(a) than his testify desires. Why should Macbeth be considered a tragic hero? The answer, has to do with the quality of his mind, his horrible determination to see the entire evil task through. Having, with the murder of Duncan, taken pluck of the events which shape his life, he is not without delay going to relinquish the responsibility for securing his desires. The most remarkable quality o f the man in this process is the clear-eyed awareness of what is happening to him person all(prenominal)y. He is torment horribly throughout, but he will not crack or seek any other remedy than what he alone can deliver. If that means damning himself even further, then so be it. This position certainly does not make Macbeth likable or (from our perspective) in many another(prenominal) respects admirable. But it does confer a heroic quality upon his tragic course of action. He simply will not compromise with the world, and he will pay whatever price that decision exacts from him, even though as his murderous career continues he becomes increasingly aware of what it is cost him. It seems clear that what his murder has cost him is the very thing that made him capacious in the first place. For no soon... ...use he has any desire to allure but because wants to take charge of the final event, his receive death. The life he has created for himself leaves him with nothing else to do. This last point about Macbeths bringing about his own death is an important element in his tragedy. Having set himself above all conventional morality and prudence to tackle life on his own terms in answer to his desires, Macbeth will remain in charge until the end. Like so many other great tragic heroes (Oedipus, big businessman Lear, Othello), he self-destructs. He has come to the dear recognition of what taking full charge of his own life, without any concessions to his community, really means. And that realization fills him with a feel of bitterness, futility, and meaninglessness. Work CitedShakespeare, William. Macbeth, ed. Carroll, W. C., Boston, MA Bedford/ St.Martins, 1999.