Macbeth is, in all ways, a tragic hero. His greatness led to his obsession and then to his
shocking, yet inevitable, downfall. The play thoroughly illustrates his rise and fall through
a tragic story of man versus himself. At the beginning, the reader sees a man with a
conscience and a mind. But after the turn of many events and Macbeth's constant fear of
being caught, he becomes weak. Macbeth is extremely passionate about becoming king. In
the first act, his motivation comes mostly from his wife. However, after he is king his
determination to keep the title changes to an obsession. Because of this, hi greatness turns
against him and his passionate nature causes him to become out of control. Macbeth
creates walls around himself. He uses the witches prophecies and Lady Macbeth's
reassurance to convince himself that he is oblivious to all. One example of this is when he
says "But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn/ Brandish'd by man that's of a woman
born" (V.7.16-17) His deeply flawed judgement makes him vulnerable. The downfall of
Macbeth's social estate and his personal self come simultaneously. We see foreshadowing
when Lady Macbeth says "These deeds must not be thought/ After these ways; so, it will
make us mad" (II.2.40-41) While he is going crazy others detect that he is evil. I grant him
bloody Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name (IV.3.70-73) One must be strong inside to be a leader and inspiration to
others. When personal strength diminishes, onlookers can sense that, and lost respect and
loyalty. Other characters are noticing Macbeth's corruption. "Not in the legions/ Of horrid
hell can come a devil more damn'd/ In evils to top Macbeth" (IV.3.66-69) Though readers
know how evil he is, they are sad to see him lose in the end. The reader becomes attached
to Macbeth throughout the story. They know his weaknesses and his
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