Essay About Beginning Of The Play And Brave Feature

Macbeth, a Tragic Hero
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“The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one
hour” – Japanese Proverb. Macbeth, the main character in Macbeth by Shakespeare,
had been an honorable, successful nobleman who had been praised even by the king
after fighting for his country. He, however, lost everything he had and was killed at the
end because of his tragic traits. Macbeth was a tragic hero according to the definition of
Aristotle because he was not pitiful, and his fate played a strong role in his actions but
did not force them.
Macbeth was not pitiful. He was an honorable man with many admirable
features. In the beginning of the play, he defended the Kingdom of Scotland from
Norway and Ireland. He was a brave, valiant war hero. Additionally, Macbeth was
praised and rewarded by King Duncan. After the captain explained to King Duncan all
the courageous things Macbeth had done for the country, King Duncan praised him by
saying, “O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!” (1.2.24). The king also rewarded Macbeth
by announcing that Macbeth will be given the title of Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth was a
great man who was admired by many people. If he managed himself very well, like he
did in the beginning of the play, he could have stayed as a respectable person. His
brave feature and the high title made him an honorable man, not a pitiful man.
Furthermore, fate played a strong role in the actions of Macbeth but did not force
them. In the beginning of the play, three witches told Macbeth that he will one day
become a king. They told him his fate, but they did not mention how he is going to be
the king. Thus, it was his fate to become a king, but he could have chosen a way to get
there. His decision to kill King Duncan in order to become king was affected by the
prophecies that the witches had made, but it was ultimately Macbeth himself that
decided to kill the king. Likewise, his decisions to kill Banquo and Macduffs