Macbeth As A Tragic Hero

The Tragedy of Macbeth has always been regarded as a great Shakespearean Tragedy about the choice between right and wrong, and the fight between good and evil. The Protagonist --- Macbeth changes from a glorious general to an evil usurper and conspirator, and to a tyrant through the whole process of the play. At last, he is defeated by the revenging army of Malcolm, dies in the wild country, and faces the consequences of one's own action. Although the behaviours of Macbeth are full of the darkness and blood, yet he is still a tragic hero portrayed by Shakespeare. As the protagonist of a tragedy, Macbeth has defects in his character, and these defects also cause so many inward struggles, which involve themselves into the furious outward conflicts as well. The external environments are important to a tragedy and the image of a tragic hero, too. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, the colour is weird and solemn; the atmosphere is cold and lifeless, which support the image of Macbeth as a tragic hero greatly.The present thesis first surveys the historical background of the writing of The Tragedy of Macbeth, and the historical sources of this play. Then it reviews the criticisms on Macbeth this character in the history. It mainly lists the romantic criticisms of A.C.Bradley on Macbeth; the criticisms from George Wilson Knight who concerns about the theme and the symbol of this play. In the guidance of the criticism of A.C.Bradley, chapter one of this thesis mainly discusses the defects in Macbeth's character, and the connection between the defects and the image of Macbeth as a tragic hero. This chapter tries to prove that, Macbeth's defects, like his panic to the external stimulations, his hesitation before his decision, his fear to his own imaginations, and his overconfidence, to a great extent cause his own tragedy; and then devote to the portrayal of his image as a tragic hero.Chapter Two of this thesis tries to discuss the connection between Macbeth's inward struggles and his image as a tragic hero. Macbeth, as a tragic hero, is full of inward struggles in front of the secular power, because of his defects in his character. During his nonstop choices, he mistakes an evil road of usurping the throne, killing the King, and wiping out his enemies. He keeps thinking, keeps imagining, and keeps suffering from his own inward struggles. Finally, he has no way out, and ends his tragic life in the suffering from his inward struggles.Chapter Three of this thesis mainly talks about the outward conflicts met by Macbeth in this play. Caused by the suffering from his inward struggles, Macbeth makes some choices, which lead him to his evil doings. Macbeth has cooperation and conflicts, friendship and fights with some other characters in this play. During the development of this play, Macbeth makes several wrong choices one after another, since he could never stop when he means to begin. His image as a tragic hero has been portrayed through his own behaviours and some external affairs.With the support of the criticism of G.W.Knight, chapter four of this thesis mainly discusses the depictions of the weird environments in The Tragedy of Macbeth. This chapter mainly tries to analyze the contrast between different colours, the horrible effects of strange sound, the appearances of some evil omens, and several special conversions between some characters. This thesis argues that the depictions of the external environments should be very important to a tragedy and the image of a tragic hero.The part of conclusion gives a summary to the whole thesis. It mainly argues that, through the whole tragedy and the portrayal of the image of Macbeth as a tragic hero, the defects in Macbeth's character, his inward struggles, the outward conflicts between Macbeth and other characters, and the external environments should be very important.