Macbeth Overview

• Macbeth can be described as a tragic hero in Shakespeare's play which is a tragedy
• A tragic hero can be described as someone who is highly renowned , and has a reversal of fortune from 'good to bad' which is caused by the character's hamartia
• Hamartia is the personal error or frailty that a character has
• In the opening scenes of the play, before the audience even meets Macbeth , he is presented as highly renowned
• In Act 1 Scene 2 , the Sergeant describes how 'brave Macbeth' killed Macdonwald on the battlefield, - the violent imagery used in this scene is a good indicator of the violent world of which the play is set - people prove themselves worthy of honour by their actions on the battlefield, and this is echoed throughout the play
• The play can be described as having no principle of rule other than strength , where 'might' , not 'right' , rules
• In Act 1 Scene 2, Duncan describes Macbeth as "noble" , and in Act 1 Scene 3, Banquo refers to Macbeth as "noble" partner - this shows us the Macbeth is clearly very well respected
• Macbeth starts the play as a violent warrior who is respected by those around him
• When Macbeth meets The Witches, who prophesy that he will one day be king, we can see Macbeth's hamartia - his ambition corrupts him
• Shakespeare uses Banquo as a foil (A character who usually contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist to highlight qualities of that other character)
• Unlike Banquo, Macbeth is interested by The Witches prophecies, initially appearing startled when he hears The Witches tell him that he will be king - He may appear this way, as The Witches have given voice to his inner ambitions of becoming king
• After seeing the Witches, Macbeth descends into the path of destruction that will ultimately bring about his demise
• In Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth admits it is his own vaulting ambition that drives him to kill Duncan - He says this in a soliloquy that verbalizes his own thoughts for the benefit of the audience - Here, Macbeth is admitting his hamartia