Macbeth's Tragic Flaw

Macbeth Essay Macbeth is one of the most famous tragedies written by William Shakespeare! A tragic hero is a person of high estate who possesses a flaw in character which brings about his own downfall. This is essentially true of Macbeth. There are numerous tragic events that occur throughout the entire play. Macbeth's character flaws are having too much greed for power, lack of judgement, and insanity. In Shakespeare's play, Macbeth's ambition and poor decision making lead towards his tragic downfall. Mabeth is referred to as a hero for killing the first Thane of Glaims. "By Finel's death, I know I am Thane of Glaims, But how of Cowdar?" (I. iii. 69-70). Now he has the full prophecy, the three titles that have been promised to Macbeth…show more content…
Macbeth wants to kill king Duncan and so he does. "Let not light see my black and deep desires." (I. iv. 51). Macbeth will have to stand up or give up because Duncan is in his way of becoming a king. Macbeth will not let Duncan's actions get in his way of becoming a king but in the end he would have to live with the upcoming consequences. At this point, he is so power hungry that he decides to hire murderers to go kill Banquo and his son Fleance. "Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd" (III. i. 50-52). Macbeth wants Banquo and Fleance dead because Banquo has kingly standards that makes him a threat to Macbeth. Also, the fact that Banquo has children and Macbeth does not will leave Macbeth at a disadvantage because once Banquo dies his son will follow his path. Macbeth does not like the idea of somebody having something that he does not have. Furthermore, Macbeth sent out more murderers to kill Lady Macduff and her son. "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth Beware Macduff!" (IV. i. 70). Macbeth is a cold-blooded and desperate man because he has sent murderers to kill an innocent family. At this point in the play, Macbeth has lost all his value. He is so frightened to lose his crown that he will do anything and everything to protect it. When Macduff was absent for Macbeth's banquet, Macbeth became very suspicious. He…show more content…
Macbeth suffers with anxiety and doubts that makes him insane which then leads to his demise. The first reason he goes insane is when he kills king Duncan. "How now my Lord! Why do you keep alone, of sorriest fancies your companions making, using those thoughts which should indeed have died" (III . ii. 8-10). Macbeth was so guilty of what he has just done, every sound he hears would petrify him. He would have to live with this guilt for the rest of his life and each day he has to suffer with this guilt inside of him. Later in the play, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at his banquet. "The time has been that when the brains were out, the man would die, and there an end. But now they rise again" (III. iv. 78-80). Macbeth is so paranoid that he starts to go insane and begin to talk to Banquo's ghost without even hesitating or realizing that his guests were watching and hearing everything he has said. Finally, it has all come down to the death of Macbeth. Macbeth has been told my the witches that he will not be killed by a man born of a woman, but to beware of Macduff. "I have no words; My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain Than terms can give thee out." ( V. viii, 7-9). Macduff wants revenge for his family's death also Macbeth is driving their country into the ground, so he puts all his anger and power into killing