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Macbeth Tragic Hero Research Paper

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Macbeth, A Tragic Hero
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Each one of Macbeth’s decisions in life applies to one or all of Aristotle’s characteristics of the theory of a tragic hero in The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare’s play. Each one of his characteristics identifies him as a true tragic hero. Macbeth is a tragic hero because not only does he do wrong throughout his life, but he does it for his own benefits.
Hubris, one of the characteristics, is Macbeth’s excessive pride, giving others the sense of him being too cocky. With overconfidence Macbeth states, “And mingle with the English epicures./The mind I sway by and the heart I bear/Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear" (5.3.9-11). He undergoes hubris when they open up his future, leading him …show more content…
A personality of violence is exposed by Macbeth when he exclaims, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise,/Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword/His wife, his babies, and all unfortunate souls/That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;/This deed 'll do before this purpose cool./But no more sights!---Where are these gentlemen?/Come bring me where they are" (4.1.171-177). Macbeth encounters peripeteia when he shows his dark side as becoming king is more difficult for him now. He does the extreme to make sure all the power is in his hands. Along with peripeteia comes anagnorisis. Anagnorisis is the moment when Macbeth, the hero makes a critical discovery. With anger towards his nemesis Macduff, he replies, “Accurséd be that tongue that tells me so,/For it hath cowed my better part of man!/And be these juggling fiends no more believed/That palter with us in a double sense,/That keep the word of promise to our ear/And break it to our hope. I'll not fight with thee" (5.8.21-26). He experiences anagnorisis when his efforts are taken advantage of and it's a little too late for him to switch things around, as he soon dies. The ones closest to him use him for power, but he has no time on his hands to make a difference. Peripeteia and anagnorisis lead to him being respected even after the big unexpected change in his

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