Murders Of Duncan And Banquo Macbeth example essay topic

Macbeth is a Tragic Hero A tragedy is a type of drama or literature that shows the downfall or destruction of a noble or outstanding person, traditionally one who possesses a character weakness called a tragic flaw. The story Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is one example of a tragedy for the reason that the main character, Macbeth, gets caught up in a sequence of events that unavoidably results in a disaster or in Macbeth's case, death. In the beginning of the play Macbeth wants to become King of Scotland, but in order to have this power he must kill King Duncan (the present King). At first Macbeth refuses to do this crime but his wife Lady Macbeth pushes him, so he commits the crime and also kills the two guards, who he blames the murders on, supposedly out of rage at their crime. By the end of the play Macbeth kills or hirers murderers to kill Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff's children. Prince Malcolm and Macduff join forces and invade Macbeth's forces.

They gradually overpower Macbeth's army and castle. Macbeth runs into Macduff on the battle field and even though Macbeth realizes that he is doomed he fights Macduff, and Macduff kills and beheads him. Due too Macbeth's death Malcolm is crowned the king of Scotland. Macbeth fit's the definition of a tragic hero because he is of noble position, has a tragic flaw, and suffers for his crimes.

The first aspect of a tragic hero that Macbeth falls in to, is a Noble position. In the beginning of the play Macbeth's is the Thane of Glamis, but since he has pleases the king by defeating two separate armies invading Scotland, he gives him the title Thane of Cawdor, just as the witches predicted. Macbeth now realizes that the witches first prediction was accurate, this awakens Macbeth's desire to become King of Scotland. At first Macbeth believed he would be the next air to the thrown, but he was incorrect and the only way to become king is to kill King Duncan. However Lady Macbeth says to her self: Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promis'd; yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; Art not without ambition; but without The illness should attend it.

What thou wouldst highly, (I, v, 12-17) Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth will not kill King Duncan because he is too kind and Duncan has always been kind to him. Another aspect of a tragic hero that Macbeth fits is a tragic flaw. A tragic flaw is a imperfection in the central character of a tragedy that brings the central character to destruction or death. Macbeth's tragic flaw is his desire, which leads him to a series murders, his first victim being King Duncan to take the position as king. At first Macbeth hesitates killing King Duncan because King Duncan has always been kind to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, he just recently made him Thane of Cawdor, but knowing this Lady Macbeth plains and pushes Macbeth to commit the crime. The reason that Macbeth decides to kill King Duncan is because of the witches prophecies.

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! (I, , 68-69) The witches say that Banquo's children stand in Macbeth's way of becoming King, but Banquo will never become king. After the murders of Duncan and Banquo Macbeth suffered. He sees the bloody dagger he used to kill Duncan with, he can not sleep, and he sees Banquo's ghost at a feast. Macbeth says to him self: Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?

Come, let me clutch thee: - I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, (II, scene I, 40-45) Because Lady Macbeth was involved in the murder, she can't stand the torment of a guilty conscience she kills her self. However Macbeth never contemplates suicide. The influence of the witches played a big role in Macbeth's decision making throughout the play. In act IV Macbeth consults the witches to ask them to reveal the truth of their prophecies to him. The witches tell Macbeth that no one women born can harm him, "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" (IV. i.

96-97). Due to this prophecy Macbeth feels invincible, but when Macduff tells him that he was not woman born, but was ripped from his mothers womb he realizes he is doomed and that the witches have led him to destruction. The witches trick Macbeth into believing that he was unstoppable and he would have to use this to his advantage to get what he desires. Because of there prophecies Macbeth has no wife, committed several crimes, and is killed in a battle he should of never fought in. Finally, Macbeth's downfall, death.

Macbeth dies in a battle with Macduff who cuts his head off. The reason he fought Macduff was due to the witches prophecy that no one born of women can harm him, but Macduff tells Macbeth: Despair thy charm; And let the angel whom thou still hast serv'd Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb Untimely ripp'd. (V, v, 17-20) Macbeth was not doomed to destruction at birth, he had choices along the way. He did not have to trust or believe the witches nor did he have to kill Duncan or Banquo.

Macbeth is the perfect example of a tragic hero. He goes through all the stages, a noble birth, which leads him to a position of great nobility and honor, then committing sinful acts, such as murder, to place him into darkness. Because of this darkness it leads him to his downfall, death. eddie.