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How Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero

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A tragic hero is defined as a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. They are known to make judgement errors which inevitably lead to their destruction. There have been various tragic heroes in literature, including Oedipus from Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Prince Hamlet and Romeo rom Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, respectively. These three characters, having their own ways in doing so, brought upon their own downfall. Of course, it wasn’t done purposefully; but due to error in judgement. These aren’t the only 2 tragic heroes Shakespeare has based his plays around; with another being Macbeth. Macbeth, in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, is a tragic hero due to having a tragic flaw and suffering complete ruin; facing it with dignity and courage. Macbeth has a tragic flaw which solidifies his role as a tragic hero. A tragic flaw, or hamartia, is the character defect that causes the downfall of a protagonist of a tragedy. Macbeth had such a high social rank, he had all these titles but yet still had various errors in judgement that would ultimately lead to his downfall. The most consequential event leading to, and the root of his downfall, is Macbeth hearing and …show more content…

Macbeth had various character flaws which ultimately lead to his end. His actual death, being a beheading, was absolute. His end was simply brought about from just one mistake in taking the witches’ prophecies to heart. That would go on to cause various events which would lead to his destruction. The tragic hero in the story can jump from being the protagonist to the antagonist just due to one mistake. When they finally meet their possible end, they face it with dignity. Macbeth, being yet another one of Shakespeare’s tragic heroes, simply upholds that

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