In a classic tragedy, a main character called the tragic hero starts out as a good, moral person who has everything, but because of some defect in the character's personality and through a series of events that come as a result of this failing, the hero loses everything important to him. In the play Macbeth, Macbeth himself is a tragic hero and because of his naive ambition of gaining power, loses his position of authority, his wife and eventually his own life. If it were not for Macbeth's poor control of his desires, he could have lived a more moral life but more importantly, Macbeth would no longer be a true tragedy by Aristotle's definition.
             In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is already a respectable captain of the king's army, completely satisfied with his post under Duncan. As scene two opens, a soldier under Macbeth and Banquo is describing the scene of a raging battle to King Duncan and remarks on Macbeth's steadfastness in battle. The wounded captain addresses his comrade as "brave Macbeth" (I. 2. 18) for he fought his way through the carnage and killed the traitor, Macdonwald. Macbeth has earned the respect of his fellow soldiers for being courageous and loyal even in the chaos of war. He soon after wins the esteem of Duncan who declares Macbeth a "valiant... worthy gentleman" (I. 2. 26). Winning the respect of the King of Scotland as an intrepid warrior was a huge affair at the time, unparalleled by any other kind of honor that could be bestowed upon a soldier. As result Duncan rewards his "noble Macbeth" (I. 2. 78) with the title "Thane of Cawdor" (I. 3. 110). Not only was it an immense occurrence to be honored by the King for his loyalty, but Macbeth also gains rank by acquiring more land of feudal Scotland. Thaneship of a region was an occupation of great importance during this time, and now that Macbeth had obtained the leadership of two areas, Glamis...