How is Macbeth a Tragic Hero?
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power, absolutely corrupts."
- John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
Born of Noble Birth
Macbeth is quite the impressive figure. As a decorated war hero of Scotland, victory after victory has he proven himself a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. With a military history so decorated and renowned, it glitters in the spotlight of the nation's grandest achievements. His deeds had earned him the unconditional support of his fellow countrymen and noblemen alike.
Doomed to make a Serious Error in Judgement
Despite Macbeth's distinguished reputation of glory, honour and valour, rewarded with fortunes and admiration as far as the eye can see, no amount of glamorous deeds or unmatched fortitude could prevent his inevitable path to corruption.
A Tragic Flaw
Every soldier knows that his greatest weakness are his own emotions. It takes years of brutal training and personal experience for soldiers to suppress their emotions and replace them with quick decision making in life and death situations. The experienced mind of a high ranking General such as Macbeth, must be that of a built in fortress, one that can only comprehend suffering, bravery, loyalty; war. Housed beneath this hardened exterior, lies his emotions, hidden thoroughly in that it does not influence military affairs. Consequently, when the powers of esteemed politicians bestow upon him a position where his genius knowledge of using military tactics cannot be applied, his mental fortitude disintegrates into a Pandora's Box. All that occupy Macbeth's conscience now, are his raw untapped emotions. His mind, being spun into a completely different reality, is now completely defenceless. This becomes more evident as he so easily allows his wife to cloud his judgement, being manipulated into fulfilling her dark and devious ambitions.
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