Macbeth's Tragic Flaw
While writing Macbeth, Shakespeare completely intended for Macbeth to be a tragic hero processed a tragic flaw that would eventually lead to his demise. At the opening of the play the audience see Macbeth portrayed as the most noble of all the knights. Multiple characters throughout the play refer to Macbeth as “Brave Macbeth” (I.i.6) or “Noble Macbeth” (I.i.70) claiming he is worthy of such praise. If Macbeth is so great, how could he possibly do anything awful enough to ruin everything he was earned? Three prophecies were all it took to produce at completely different Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth! Hail thee Thane of Glames… Thane of Cawdor… Macbeth that shalt be king here after” (I.iii.48-52). Three witches addressed Macbeth first with the title he already held and then with two titles he did not possess. At first Macbeth is confused as to why the witches would address him wrongly; this is until not long after he is named Thane of Cawdor. In astonishment Banquo says, “What can the devil speak true?”
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Shakespeare exposes Macbeths tragic flaw and it eventually ruins Macbeth. Immediately after being named Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth thinks, “I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” (I.iii.107). Macbeth is questioning his thoughts, wondering why he would turn to murdering the king so quickly or if he’d even have to commit such an act. Well Macbeth thoughts end up getting the better of him and he does murder the king. Thus allowing Macbeth to take his place as king, but he doesn’t stop at just the murder of the king. He takes the phrase, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” (III.i.48) whole heartedly. Macbeth goes as far as to murder his best friend,
Shakespeare exposes Macbeths tragic flaw and it eventually ruins Macbeth. Immediately after being named Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth thinks, “I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature? Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” (I.iii.107). Macbeth is questioning his thoughts, wondering why he would turn to murdering the king so quickly or if he’d even have to commit such an act. Well Macbeth thoughts end up getting the better of him and he does murder the king. Thus allowing Macbeth to take his place as king, but he doesn’t stop at just the murder of the king. He takes the phrase, “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” (III.i.48) whole heartedly. Macbeth goes as far as to murder his best friend,