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Macbeth: a Tragic Hero A tragic hero is a person who’s life is determined
by four elements: fate, weakness (in Macbeth’s case, fear), poor decision
making, and the realization of flaws with inability to prevent the oncoming
tragedy. First of all, fate is defined as the power or force held to
predetermine events. Fate makes its first appearance in the play when Lady Mac
receives Macbeth’s letter which tells of the witches’ prophecies. At this point,
Lady Mac is stricken with fear because she is afraid that Macbeth will not
utilize his opportunity to seize the crown, “Which fate and metaphysical aid
doth seem to have thee crown’s withal” (1.5 29-30). In the end, Macbeth will
have to come face to face with his fate and deal with it accordingly. Secondly,
Macbeth’s weakness (fear) is another element in his being a tragic hero.
This
weakness is portrayed often in the character of Macbeth. Oftentimes, tragic
heroes must contain the element of fear, because it is a very humanizing
element, so therefore without it, they would be some sort of superior human,
which they are not. They are still human, even though they are heroes. In the
case of Macbeth, his fear was created by himself due to the situations which he
has involved himself with. Eventually it is this self-induces, self-produced
fear which eats Macbeth from the inside out. In the end, Macbeth’s fear becomes
a totally all-inclusive, all- consuming creature which takes his life and
virtually rapes him of his unlawfully obtained position of king.
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