Macbeth

Macbeth Essay – Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero Or A Tyrant?

Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most emotive plays, is set in Scotland during the 11th Century and follows the downfall of a man who is led by temptation to mass murder and cruelty. Macbeth, at different stages in the play, demonstrates many of the characteristics of both an evil tyrant and a tragic hero. However, a tragic hero is defined as a great man who falls because of a fatal flaw and Macbeth bests fits this description. Therefore Macbeth fits the role of a tragic hero and not a tyrant.

In Aristotle’s “Poeticus”, an ancient Greek drama, the definition of a tragic hero includes several criteria. Firstly, the character must be important and his actions must affect many people. Secondly, the character must be good-natured, well known, respected and brave and of good repute. The third criterion is that the character must have one tragic flaw, which leads to his downfall. Last of all, the tragic hero must redeem hims...