macbeth is a tragic hero thesis statement

Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Greek mythology gave birth to the idea of the tragic hero, in which the concepts of the hero play a tremendous role. Aristotelian thought indicates “the tragic effect will be stronger if the hero is ‘better than we are’, in that he is of higher than ordinary moral worth. Such a man is shown as suffering a change in fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act, to which he is led by his hamartia (his ‘effort of judgment’) or, as it is often literally translated, his tragic flaw” (Zarro, 2001).

There are two types of tragic heroes, those that are born into nobility with a tragic flaw inherent in their character who are therefore responsible for their own fate and doomed to make a serious error in judgment and those who have achieved great heights or esteem through hard work who eventually realize they have made a huge mistake causing them to face and accept their tragic death with honor (Zarro, 2001).

Greek tragedy abounds with examples of tragic heroes, as does much of Shakespearean tragedy. “Shakespeare wished to exhibit a more sublime picture – an ambitious but noble hero, yielding to a deep-laid hellish temptation, and in whom all the crimes to which, in order to secure the fruits of his first crime, he is impelled by necessity, cannot altogether eradicate the stamp of native heroism” (Bates, 1906: 36). In many ways, it can be argued that Macbeth of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, was a tragic hero.

As the play opens, Macbeth’s nobility of spirit is revealed as reports come in to King Duncan regarding his exploits on the battlefield. The first two acts don’t even see Macbeth as he is busy on the battlefield, attempting to defend Duncan’s kingdom from the forces of Macdonwald, a man from the ‘Western Isles.’ Macbeth’s loyalty is shown in the fierceness of the battle being fought as it is reported by the wounded captain in Act I, Scene ii. He tells the king the battle was “As two spent swimmers that do cling together / And choke their art” (I, ii, 8-9), indicating that the two sides were equally matched and Fortune was favoring Macdonwald. “But all’s too weak / For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) / Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel … unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops” (I, ii, 15-17, 22).

In addition to fighting for his king, Macbeth is quickly and well rewarded for his efforts as King Duncan makes him the new Thane of Cawdor in addition to his already holding the title of Thane of Glamis. “According to Holinshed, Macbeth’s parents were Sinel, Thane of Glamis (whose existence is otherwise unattested) and a daughter of Malcolm II named Doada (again, modern genealogies mention no such person)” (Friedlander, 2005).

In addition to his supposed genealogy and position of rank, Macbeth himself demonstrates nobility of spirit as he considers the idea of assassinating King Duncan in his own home: “He’s here in double trust: / First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, / Strong both against the deed; then, as his hose, / Who should against his murderer shut the door” (I, vii, 12-15). Beyond this, he also knows that Duncan has been a good and fair king and killing him is unjustified.

However, once the idea that he might be king has entered his brain, thanks to the three witches, Macbeth can’t seem to shake it, particularly as his wife continues to press the issue. “One common form of hamartia in Greek tragedies was hubris, that ‘pride’ or overweening self-confidence which leads a protagonist to disregard a divine warning or to violate an important law” (Zarro, 2001).

Although he knows he has no reason to move against his king other than “vaunting ambition, which o’erleaps itself” (I, vii, 25-27), his commitment to his wife and his greed proves overpowering, forcing him to the act. “Lady Macbeth bitches at her husband and ridicules his masculinity in order to make him commit murder. She talks about a smiling baby she once nursed and what it would have been like to smash its brains out – she would prefer this to having a husband who is unwilling to kill in cold blood” (Friedlander, 2005).

Macbeth’s single evil action of killing his king thus commits him to further evil acts. “That same Macbeth, who once as a warrior could spurn at death, now that he dreads the prospect of the life to come, clings with growing anxiety to his earthly existence the more miserable it becomes, and pitilessly removes out of the way whatever to his dark and suspicious mind seems to threaten danger” (Bates, 1906: 37).

When Macbeth willingly participates in murder, this quickly escalates to massacres of perceived enemies and the propagation of lies and deceits as a means of maintaining the perception others have of him. His own deceit of Duncan forces him to consider the possible schemes of Banquo, thus leading him to order murder once again. In avenge himself on Macduff, he orders the massacre of Macduff’s family, and the evil flows on. In this process, he loses his heath and sanity.

Finally, after having made a mistake in judgment causing a fall from his nobility and high moral station, Macbeth is forced to participate in numerous other actions that continually wear away at his nobility and sanity until he is finally, mercifully, killed by a man who was not born of woman. “Macbeth is still found worthy to die the death of a hero on the field of battle. The noble Macduff is allowed the satisfaction of saving his country by punishing with his own hand the tyrant who had murdered his wife and children” (Bates, 1906: 38).

This, again, is something he has brought on himself as it was Macbeth who ordered the murder of Macduff’s entire household once he learned that Macduff had fled the country in search of justice for Duncan’s murder. “Holinshed spends a lot of time on the incident in which Malcolm (who became a popular king) tests Macduff by pretending to be mean when he is really nice” (Friedlander, 2005), thus establishing the difference between a noble man who would lie and cheat his way to the throne and a noble man who would lie and cheat to determine another’s honesty. In the end, though, Macbeth can be seen to be a tragic hero because he started noble, made a terrible decision based upon his own foolish pride egged on by his ambitious wife and finally died a disgraceful death as the result of his actions.

Works Cited

Bates, Alfred (Ed.). “Macbeth: An Analysis of the Play by Shakespeare.” The Drama: Its History, Literature and Influence on Civilization. London: Historical Publishing Company, 1906, Vol. 14: 34-39.

Friedlander, Ed. “Enjoying Macbeth, by William Shakespeare.” Pathguy. (2005). Web.

Shakespeare. “Macbeth.” William Shakespeare: The Complete Works. Alfred Harbage (Ed.). New York: Viking Books, 1969, pp. 1107-1135.

Zarro, Josephine. “More Terms Defined: Aristotelian Definition of Tragedy.” eGallery of Tragic Heroes in Literature and Life. (2001). Teach the Teachers. Web.

• Duke from "Measure for Measure" by William Shakespeare
• Shakespeare’s King Lear: A Bad Judgment Turns Tragic
• Emotions and Outward Actions in Shakespeare’s "Macbeth"
• Macbeth: An Analysis of the Play by Shakespeare
• The Downfall of Macbeth
• Feminism in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler
• Character Analysis of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
• Hero in Plautus' "Pseudolus" Play
• Human Relations in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” Play
• Family Life in Harold Pinter’s “The Homecoming”
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, August 28). Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespearean-macbeth-as-a-tragic-hero/

"Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero." IvyPanda , 28 Aug. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/shakespearean-macbeth-as-a-tragic-hero/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero'. 28 August.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero." August 28, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespearean-macbeth-as-a-tragic-hero/.

1. IvyPanda . "Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero." August 28, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespearean-macbeth-as-a-tragic-hero/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Shakespearean Macbeth as a Tragic Hero." August 28, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shakespearean-macbeth-as-a-tragic-hero/.

Macbeth Key Theme: Ambition ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

English Senior Content Creator

Ambition in Macbeth

Although it is important to stress that Shakespeare explores many other themes in Macbeth, and that you should aim to revise those other themes in some detail, it can be argued that, at heart, Macbeth as a play is an exploration of ambition and its consequences. On this page you will find a summary of how Shakespeare explores ambition in Macbeth, and also tips on how to answer an exam question on the theme of ambition.

How does Shakespeare present ambition in Macbeth? When we talk about “ambition” in Macbeth, we are not talking about a desire to do something or determination to succeed towards a set goal. Instead, we should understand ambition in the play as a negative character trait: not just a desire to achieve something, but an unnatural desire to achieve something at any cost.  Indeed, Shakespeare has Macbeth speak the lines “vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself” in Act I, Scene VII. “Vaulting” means jumping over, suggesting that Macbeth, in order to achieve his ambition (to become king), knows that he must overcome an obstacle that stands in his way. This obstacle is King Duncan, and the only way to remove this obstacle is to murder him. To murder a king was a shocking, unnatural act in Jacobean  England (for more on Jacobean society and its beliefs, see our Macbeth: Context page), but Macbeth is prepared to commit regicide  to realise his ambition. Ultimately, the cost he will pay for his ambition is his own life.

Below you will find a summary of the ways in which Shakespeare explores the theme of ambition in Macbeth. For more detailed revision notes on ambition, please see the Macbeth: Themes page.

Ambition is Macbeth’s fatal character flaw, his hamartia:

In tragedy , a tragic hero  must have a tragic flaw

In Macbeth, as in most tragedy, the tragic hero’s hamartia is the cause of their own downfall:

Macbeth’s ambition to gain, and retain, the throne leads to him committing more and more evil acts

Other characters seek revenge for these acts of murder

Macbeth’s own conscience also begins to terrorise him

Ultimately, a combination of his own mental disintegration and avenging heroes sees him killed by the hand of Macduff

At heart, Shakespeare is presenting a morality play to the audience:

Allow yourself to be consumed by ambition, or hubris , and prepare to suffer dire consequences

It can also be seen as a warning against those who seek to undermine – or overthrow – the rule of a rightful king:

Shakespeare may also be suggesting that those unaccustomed and undeserving of power will be destroyed by it

Shakespeare is suggesting that kings are legitimate rulers, but tyrants  are not

Answering an exam question on ambition in Macbeth

In order to get top marks for your essay, it is very important that you know the format and requirements of the exam paper, and the nature of the exam question. It is also vital that you know how to plan an answer in the Shakespeare exam, and are aware of what you need to include to get the highest grade. In this section you will find:

an overview of the exam

a plan for a question on ambition

an ambition essay model paragraph

Overview of the Shakespeare Exam

Your Shakespeare question would be part of Section A of Paper 1 of your GCSE

The essay is worth 34 marks: 30 for the quality of your essay, and 4 for the level of your spelling, punctuation and grammar

In your question paper, you will find an extract from the text of Macbeth and only one question

You must answer the question that is set and refer to the extract, but also the rest of the play

This is challenging because the exam is what’s called “closed-book”, meaning that you will not have access to a copy of the text (other than the printed extract) in your exam

Therefore, in order to refer to the play as a whole, it is important to:

revise the plot of the play 

revise some selected quotations from different parts of the play

For a much more detailed guide on answering the Macbeth question, please see our revision notes on How to Answer the Shakespeare Essay Question .

Plan for a question on ambition in Macbeth

Below you will find a template for a plan for the following exemplar question on ambition. It is always worthwhile spending a good deal of time planning an answer at GCSE, with examiners repeatedly reporting that the highest marks are awarded to those students who have clearly set aside time to plan their essays. For more information on planning a response, and approaching the Shakespeare question in general, see our comprehensive revision notes here .

Exemplar question

‘Macbeth’s ambition proves to be his downfall’

Starting with this moment in the play, explore how far you agree with this view.

Write about:

How Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition in this extract

How far Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s ambition as the reason for his downfall in the play as a whole

AO4 [4 marks]

Act I, Scene VII

Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to go through with the plan to murder King Duncan

   If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

   It were done quickly: if the assassination

   Could trammel up the consequence, and catch

   With his surcease success; that but this blow

   Might be the be-all and the end-all here,

   But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

   We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases

   We still have judgment here; that we but teach

   Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

   To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice

   Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice

   To our own lips. He's here in double trust;

   First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

   Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

   Who should against his murderer shut the door,

   Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

   Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

   So clear in his great office, that his virtues

   Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

   The deep damnation of his taking-off;

   And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

   Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed

   Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

   Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

   That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur

   To prick the sides of my intent, but only

   Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

   And falls on the other.

Ambition in Macbeth Essay Model Paragraph

Despite the fact that Macbeth is clearly aware of the dire religious consequences of regicide, his ambition means he proceeds with the murder of King Duncan anyway, indicating that his ambition overrides all other sensibilities. In this scene, Shakespeare uses the semantic fields of religion throughout Macbeth’s soliloquy: he refers to “Heaven”, “cherubin” and “angels”, as well as “damnation”. Ostensibly, this language is being used because Macbeth is discussing King Duncan’s prospective life after death. However, it could also be argued that this language betrays Macbeth’s own acknowledgement that committing the planned act of regicide (a mortal sin in the Jacobean era) will instead send him to eternal “damnation”. Indeed, later on in the play, Shakespeare has Macbeth speak the lines: “That summons thee to Heaven, or to Hell”, again, on the face of it referring to Duncan’s passage to the afterlife, but in reality speaking about his own fate. Indeed, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use the language of Heaven and Hell throughout Act I and the beginning of Act II, suggesting that they are both – on a subconscious level at least – mortally concerned for their future should they commit the sacrilegious act of murdering a sitting monarch. It can be argued that the regicide of King Duncan is the catalyst for Macbeth’s ultimate downfall. In terms of tragedy, this is the inciting incident, after which a tragic hero’s fate is sealed. Therefore, the language that Shakespeare has Macbeth use prior to the murder is very illuminating. Before the murder, Macbeth admits in this soliloquy that – despite the acknowledgement of his own eternal punishment – that it is “only vaulting ambition” which is tempting him to overthrow the king. This is indeed Macbeth himself identifying that his ambition is the “only” reason that he himself identifies to commit the murder, and by extension, it is his ambition that sets the wheels in motion for his ultimate demise.

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free, join the 100,000 + students that ❤️ save my exams.

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

• Romeo & Juliet
• A Christmas Carol
• Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
• An Inspector Calls
• Blood Brothers
• Lord of the Flies
• Power & Conflict
• Love & Relationships
• How to Answer the Unseen Poetry Question

Author: Nick Redgrove

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

'Macbeth': exploring the theme of internal conflict

I can create a detailed essay plan about how Macbeth is a conflicted character.

Lesson details

Key learning points.

• Act 3 is an important scene as it signifies a shift in Macbeth’s behaviour and his relationship with his wife
• Tormented by guilt and fear, he plots Banquo’s murder without informing Lady Macbeth
• The relationship between Macbeth and his wife becomes particularly estranged during Act 3, Scene 4
• Arguably, Macbeth is in conflict with both himself and his wife in Act 3
• Thesis statements should present an overarching argument

Common misconception

Thesis statements have to be very general.

Thesis statements can be specific, but they should offer opportunity to consider different interpretations.

Tormented - Some who feels tormented is experiencing severe physical or mental suffereing.

Deteriorating - If something is deteriorating it is becoming progressively worse.

Estranged - When a relationship is described as being estranged it is means there is no longer closeness between the couple.

Paradoxical - A situation that is paradoxical is self contradictory or made up of two opposite elements.

You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.

Content guidance

• Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
• Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Supervision

Adult supervision required

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited ( 2024 ), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Starter quiz

6 questions.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — The Tragic Hero In Macbeth

The Tragic Hero in Macbeth

• Categories: Macbeth

About this sample

Words: 564 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 564 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, tragic flaw, hubris and nemesis, moral ambiguity, tragic heroic qualities.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1312 words

2 pages / 1418 words

1 pages / 627 words

4 pages / 1790 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Macbeth

In William Shakespeare's iconic tragedy "Macbeth," the landscape is densely populated with characters who drive the plot's twists and unveil the gloomy fates that envelop Scotland. Amidst the chaos stirred by ambition and [...]

Shakespeare's Macbeth is a literary masterpiece that employs various rhetorical strategies to convey its themes and messages. The play is a tragic tale of a Scottish nobleman, Macbeth, who is driven by ambition to commit heinous [...]

Sleep plays a crucial role in Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth. This recurring theme serves as a powerful symbol, highlighting the characters' guilt, redemption, and the consequences of their actions. By analyzing the significance [...]

The play features a series of betrayals and acts of deceit that drive the plot and lead to the tragic downfall of the characters. This essay will explore the role of deceit and deception in the play, analyzing how it contributes [...]

William Shakespeare is a name recognised by many as one of the most acclaimed authors in English literature. His plays are known around the world, creating characters that you either love, hate, or pity. The play Macbeth is an [...]

In Shakespeare's play Macbeth we see the main character, Macbeth changes from a well-regarded and loyal soldier of the Scottish king to a murderous tyrant. At the start of the play Macbeth is courageous, ambitious, superstitious [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free