Aristotle’s Tragic Hero in Macbeth

Aristotle’s Tragic Hero in Macbeth

Written in 1623, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth embodies Aristotle’s concept of the tragic hero; a series of events encountered and caused by a potentially heroic individual. Aristotle’s tragic hero is composed of several defining characteristics, carefully framed within Elizabethan thought. Macbeth is a character whom is noble, who has the potential for greatness, but ultimately makes poor choices. Although Macbeth does come to realize these faults, and is truly self-aware of them, the discovery is not enough to alter his position nor save his life.

Macbeth is introduced as a noble man who is so high up in the Elizabethan order he is just below royalty. Not only is he noble by blood but he has all of the virtues to go along with it. Even the three witches portray him as being noble when they say “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!” this also implies that he was already a thane meaning the King had trusted and thought well of him for a long time. The thane of Cawdor committed treason giving the Norwegians information they could use against Scotland. Macbeth defeated the traitor and fought in such a brave way when the King asked “Didn’t this frighten our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?” and the Sergeant replied “Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.” They fought fearlessly against the enemy showing their bravery in battle. Everyone around knows and admires Macbeth for his virtuous attributes. This is reflected by the sergeant when he says “But all’s too weak ;For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)” This whole scene was made to show the audience how brave, noble, and admirable Macbeth is in the start because you need to be at the top to have the most impact when you fall down.

While Macbeth seems perfect at this moment in the play, in the next scene you begin to see his flaws. In this scene he becomes blinded by ambition in the sense that the second the witches give him his predictions he has already begun to become obsessed with the idea of being King. He wants to know more, and instructs the witches “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more.” This shows he believes what they say and foreshadows that he will later go searching for them instead of them coming to him. Later when he does go to find them they give him predictions saying “Beware Macduff. Beware the thane of Fife...Laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth… Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to fight you at Dunsinane Hill.” He misinterprets these by thinking that since he couldn’t be harmed by anyone born of woman that then he didn’t need to fear Macduff. He also thought that it was impossible for Birnam wood to move thus he didn’t have to worry about that either, he basically thought he was invincible at this point. On top of Macbeth believing the predictions he was also pressured into his decisions by his wife. Lady Macbeth tended