William Shakespeare s Macbeth As A Tragic Hero - 985 Words

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (published 1623), a masterpiece, because of the number of issues it deals with in society both in Shakespeare’s time and modern society. He is regarded as the greatest English playwright of all time and has written many magnificent plays over the course of his lifetime. Shakespeare’s plays are still significant today as they cover many issues that we continue to face, such as racism (Shylock in Merchant of Venice), love (Romeo and Juliet), and the mysterious supernatural (The witches in Macbeth). His plays will continue to remain timeless, as these issues will continue to exist in society as long as it exists. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is corrupted by his desire for power, which makes him go from being a†¦show more content†¦Macbeth’s desire for power is again perceptible when he has someone murder in Banquo Act 3 Scene 1 Line 114-115 â€Å"Both of you know Banquo was your enemy† Act 3 Scene 1 line 125-126 â€Å"We shall, my lord, Perform what you command of us.† Here Macbeth has sent murderers after his friend Banquo because the witches foreshadow that Banquo’s line will be a line of Kings in Act 1 Scene 3 lines 63-65 â€Å"Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.† as Macbeth does not want one of Banquo’s sons to precede him as King of Scotland. The final act that makes Macbeth a villainous tyrant is when he murders Macduff’s family as depicted in Act 4 Scene 2 Lines 80-82 â€Å"What, you egg! Young fry of treachery! [Kills him] He has killed me, mother,† Macbeth does this because the first apparition of the three witches said in Act 4 Scene 1 lines 69-71 â€Å"Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth: beware Macduff, Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.† So Macbeth believes that Macduff may do something to topple him from his throne, which utilises dramatic irony for we know that Macduff will want revenge and eventually slays Macbeth for his crimes. This has no use-by date because people’s lust for power will be around forever and many people will do whatever it takes to gain it. Many people still