Macbeth: Tragic Hero

1253 Words6 Pages
Macbeth Macduff as a hero In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macduff shows heroic qualities in order to restore the throne of Scotland. In the Elizabethan concept of world order, the king is at the top, making closer to the divine on earth, causing them to bring order to the universe. In his world created by Shakespeare was reflected in the way the Elizabethan era and how it was governed. Macduff is the character who provides the most hope and order for the restoration of the Universe in the play. In the play Macduff and Macbeth foil one another, thus making Macduff to be a better choice as a ruler for Scotland. Macduff shows heroic qualities throughout the play that Macbeth doesn’t. Macbeth is “fixed” by the witches and their predictions instead of focusing on his kingdom and the loved one around him, like for instance Banquo who is fellow kingsmen himself when acknowledging Macbeth’s strengths shows his true goodness. While Macduff on the other hand is the complete opposite and immediately shows this when saying. “ Awake, Awake ring the alarum bell murder and treason : Banquo, Donalbain, Malcom, Awake Awake Shake off this downy sleep, death’ counterfeit, And look on death itself! Up, up, and see The great doom’s image! Malcolm! Banquo! As from you graves rise up, and walk like sprites, To countenance this horror! Ring the bell” (III ii 50-55). Macduff is speaking after he has seen the murder sight of King Duncan. The readers can almost hear the fear in Macduff’s voice as he is calling for the others. As shown the word” Awake, Awake” Is used, which ironically foreshadows that Macbeth will sleep no more, just like the voice had told him just after he had killed King Duncan. Macduff is devastated and alarmed, with the words “ring the alarm bell”. It foreshadows Macbeth’s decline into madness when he kept on hearing a bell just after he had killed King

More about Macbeth: Tragic Hero

Open Document