Macbeth: Predestine and Heroism

Macbeth: Predestine and Heroism

In the theatrical play, Macbeth, Shakespeare utilizes the theme of preordained fate in order to portray Macbeth as tragic hero. Macbeth, an acclaimed and noble hero, falls victim to his ambition and gives up his humanity in exchange for power. Macbeth is depicted as a hero after his success in defending King Duncan’s land. When faced with the attack from the king of Norway and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth was as calm "as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion (Act 1, Sc. 2, 35)." Just as a lion easily kills a hare, Macbeth fiercely and courageously subdues his enemies and earns the praise and respect of Duncan. As he leaves the battlefield, he meets the three Weird Sisters who prophesizes his future. They "hail" him as the "Thane of Glamis," the title he already holds, the "Thane of Cawdor," his newly earned title that he has yet to know about, and "king (Act 1, Sc. 3, 48)." The title of Thane of Cawdor and king seem ridiculous to him because they were already occupied by living men. However, it is the arrival of Ross announcing the execution of the previous Thane of Cawdor and of him earning the title that sets him up in the hopes of attaining the crown and as a result, illustrates his tragic flaw of ambition. When Lady Macbeth hears about his prophesy, she manipulates him into killing Duncan by mocking his manhood and comparing him to “the poor cat i’ the’ adage” that refuses to get its feet wet (Act 1, Sc. 7, 45). His ambitious nature, combined with the insults and pressure from his wife, causes Macbeth to turn his back on his honor and murder his king. Soon, Macbeth’s sanity dramatically falls, and his tragedy truly begins. Everyone around him begins to die due to his thirst for power. For example, he orders the murder of Banquo and the wife and child of Macduff to prevent anyone from usurping his new throne. Lady Macbeth,