Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

Macbeth

In a tragedy the main character rises to greatness, then continues to fall down a shame spiral which leads to their down fall.An example of a tragedy is Macbeth. Macbeth is driven up the hill of greatness a rise, then his untamed ambition leads him to death. The process of a tragedy is slow to let the audience become comfortable with the power and happiness of the main character. Then all of the sudden signs appear that the end is coming and the main character heads toward downfall.

In the beggining of the play a battle goes on between King Duncan of Scotland and Macdonwald of Norway. Macbeth fought bravely on Scotland’s side and even killed Macdonwald himself. King Duncan hears of Macbeth’s brave and noble qualities and crowns him the new Thane of Cawdor. The king states that the old Thane should not device, “… Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (1.2.63-65) Macbeth is hostile to except the rank because earlier three witches prophesied that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor even though there was one at that time. Since Macbeth was crowned Thane of Cawdor, Banquo and Macbeth think that the three withches adre able to correctly tell them their fate.

Macbeth now having higher-ranking authority begins to have his ambition act up on him and crave more power. Lady Macbeth organizes King Duncans murder, which increases Macbeth’s ambition and enables Macbeth to rise up to the ultimate height. The murder is carried out but not as planned and Macbeth is driven to kill the king himself. Macbeth states after everyone found the dead king,” Loyal and neutral, in a moment? no man. The expedition of my violent love…” (2.3.111-112) This was the only done to destroy and thoughts that may have targeted Macbeth that he could have killed the king.

The greediness for power and the witches prophesies have made Macbeth a very disturbed man. Believing in everthing that the witches say, Macbeth hires three murders to kill both Banquo and his son. By having them killed no one shall be in line to take the crown away from Macbeth. Macbeth then hears that Macduff is pondering on ways to seek revenge so Macbeth plans for death of Macduff’s family. Macbeth went for his family hoping to hurt him on the inside to show Macduff not to mess with Macbeth. This shows that Macbeth finds that every person is against him and wants to strip him of his glory. Macbeth during this period of insanity loses all respect from what followers he did have and is referred to as the Devil. Eventually Macbeth is killed by Macduff during thier fight for revenge which ends Macbeth’s tragic life as king.

In the story of Macbeth he is a man of great nobility and honor. He is highly ranked and loved by everyone around him and is very courageous in the battlefield. This play is a tragedy because a man of such high authority, at first, rises to greatness and then falls tragically to death.