Macbeth Tragic Hero Argumentative Essay Example

Alfred Adler, an Austrian medical doctor, once said, “The power-hungry individual follows a path to his own destruction”.  This quote explains how people who strive for power and strength will eventually fall. This connects in Shakespeare's Play Macbeth because he kept following a bad path which led to his own death. Macbeth was too hungry for power and he paid the price for it. Hunger for power leads to bad decisions which can mean negative outcomes.  As a result, Macbeth is a tragic hero because he displays the traits of hubris and anagnorisis.

Macbeth demonstrates hubris because he has too much pride and wants power for himself. Macbeth explains that he wants to be the father of many kings. For example, “But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine) Why by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush, no more”(Act 3 scene 1). This quote demonstrates that Macbeth believes he should be the father of future kings and has pride in that. This shows that Macbeth has extreme hubris and has pride that he will be the father of kings. This extreme confidence could lead Macbeth to want more power and negative outcomes could arise. Macbeth shows many other examples of excessive pride. Macbeth has killed King Duncan and exclaims, “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”(Act 1 Scene 2). This shows that Macbeth is going to become the king and he is very proud of that position. Macbeth has extreme pride in his new powerful position and wants to gain more power as the witches said. The evidence relates to the fact that Macbeth's hunger for power can mean a negative outcome in his life as well as how Macbeth demonstrates the trait of hubris.

Macbeth shows the characteristic of anagnorisis because he realizes that his conquering others have left him with many enemies.  Macbeth expects evil from others to come his way. He says, “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” (Act 4 Scene 1). In this quote, Macbeth is emphasizing that since he has killed others evil would eventually come his way. This shows that Macbeth is realizing that the bad things he has done will eventually backfire on him. This all began because Macbeth was overly hungry for power and bad things were happening. Macbeth knows that his fears are nothing compared to his imaging. He understands, “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.”(Act 1 scene 3). In this Macbeth is realizing that his fears are nothing compared to his future imaginings. This supports my claim because Macbeth is realizing what he has done will eventually lead to his downfall. This shows that he is a tragic hero and he was hungry for too much power which will lead to his demise. 

However, some may argue that Lady Macbeth is more of a tragic hero than Macbeth because she demonstrates the trait of anagnorisis. She regrets killing King Duncan and says, “Out Dammed spot!” (Act 5 Scene 1). In this quote, Lady Macbeth is showing that she is guilty of all of the things she has done. This demonstrates anagnorisis because she realizes that she is guilty and regrets planning other murders. This shows that Lady Macbeth is a Tragic hero because she realizes how guilty she actually is, “Heres the smell of blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (Act 5 scene 1). In this scene, Lady Macbeth reveals that she did not like killing others and compares it to a terrible smell. She shows guilt about the murders that Macbeth has done. This demonstrates how lady Macbeth is a tragic hero due to her guilt. While the opposition's belief could be true, Macbeth best fits the qualities of a tragic hero because he has more traits than Lady Macbeth such as hubris, anagnorisis, and meats a tragic end. These traits demonstrate Macbeth's excessive pride and realization that he has done bad things which fall under the category of a tragic hero.

Overall, Macbeth's hunger for more power leads to bad decisions and horrible outcomes for Macbeth which makes him a tragic hero. Macbeth demonstrates the themes of hubris and anagnorisis by hungering for power and realizing his mistakes. These traits are those of a tragic hero who made bad decisions that lead to horrible outcomes. In all, Alfred Adler’s words came true because Macbeth’s need for more power lead to his downfall.