Death Of King Macbeth example essay topic

Macbeth is a well-known Shakespearean tragedy with elements that are easily identified and illustrated on tragedy throughout the play. The main aspects of tragedy that I have encountered in the play are a protagonist (Macbeth) who is of noble birth and holds good fortune approaches a tragic flaw leading him to his misfortune and death. Macbeth, being the protagonist seems to possess a good fortune at the beginning of the play. He is an honored and valiant Scottish hero who has just won his greatest battle against Macdonald and the Thane of Cawdor, the traitors of his king, King Duncan. The king upon hearing the news of Macbeth's victory, names him the Thane of Cawdor: No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest: go, pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth. (I. II. 73-75) Macbeth's courageous fighting earns him a reputation of a brave warrior.

Soldiers glorify him. ".. For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name... ". (I. II. 18). He is complimented by his colleague, Banquo "Worthy Macbeth... ". (I.. 162).

Furthermore he earns respect from King Duncan "O Valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!" (I. II. 26). Unfortunately Macbeth's good fortune alters as he stumbles upon the three evil witches. After this encounter with the witches the news arrives by the kings messengers telling Macbeth of his new title, the Thane of Cawdor. At first Macbeth considers if the witches' first two prophecies became real then their third prediction would become accurate and he would be king hereafter without his need to interfere with his destiny. A good illustration of this is when Macbeth speaks to himself aside after receiving the news of his new title: If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir. (I..

154-156) This is where Shakespeare begins to outline another factor of calamity in Macbeth. Macbeth's tragic flaw activates after Macbeth is encouraged and manipulated by Lady Macbeth to take charge of his future and seize the throne by killing King Duncan. Macbeth was exceedingly ambitious and had a tendency to struggle controlling it. A decent demonstration of this is when Macbeth confesses to himself that it is his ambition that insists on carrying through with the unthinkable deed: That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erlaps itself And falls on the other. (I. VII.

25-28) Macbeth compares his ambition to an over-eager horse rider who tries to jump onto his horse's saddle, but instead he leaps over the horse landing on the other side because of his over-eagerness. He is meaning that perhaps his ambition is beyond its genuine need. Eventually he decides that 'chance' needs some assistance, so he prepares to murder Duncan and interferes with his good fortune. Macbeth's fortune changes from good to bad. After betraying and murdering his king, his guilty conscience grows on him and he becomes fearful of his actions being discovered. He becomes paranoid about his throne and in order to protect his power he decides to murder his friend Banquo because of his knowledge.

Macbeth now having two murders on his mind becomes an unreasonable man whose guilt grows as fast as his greed. His bad fortune continues as he decides to kill Macduffs' family. His tragic flaw grows and he becomes more fearful of his throne so eventually he visits the three witches again to confirm his current authority. The evil witches warn him of Macduff, tell him he will not be harmed by a man born of woman and promise him that Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves towards Dunsinane: Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife.

Dismiss me: enough. (IV. IV. 77-78) Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth. (IV. IV.

85-87) Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill (IV. IV. 100-101) Ironically Macbeth sees these predictions as positive ones. Slowly the prophecies begin becoming accurate as soldiers camouflage themselves using the branches of Birnam Wood and move towards Dunsinane to attack the Macbeth's throne.

Macbeth also hears the news of his beloved wife's suicidal death. Tragedy strikes, as Macbeth's fortune continues being unpleasant. The last and final element of tragedy is the death of the protagonist. This is well illustrated by the death of King Macbeth. The last prediction comes true and Macduff who wasn't born of a woman, instead ripped from his mother's womb, kills Macbeth.

Before he dies, Macbeth says, .".. it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing". (V.V. 28-30) Referring to the emptiness in his life. He knows he is going to die. He knows of his tragic downfall in his life.