What is a Tragic Hero?

A tragic hero is a noble character, often of high status, who is essentially good but possesses a tragic flaw (hamartia)—a personality trait that leads to their downfall.

In Macbeth:
Macbeth starts as a brave and respected soldier. However, his ambition becomes his tragic flaw. This uncontrollable desire for power leads him to commit murder and ultimately lose everything.

Causally Related Events

Shakespeare’s tragedies show how one event leads to another in a chain of consequences. These events are not random; they are linked by the hero’s choices and flaws.

Example from Macbeth:

1. Macbeth hears the witches' prophecy.
   
   

2. He chooses to murder Duncan.
   
   

3. Guilt haunts him and Lady Macbeth.
   
   

4. He becomes paranoid and kills more people.
   
   

5. His tyranny leads to rebellion.
   
   

6. He is killed by Macduff.
   
   

Each step is caused by the one before it.

Audience Reactions

Shakespeare wanted the audience to feel:

• Pity for the hero’s fall.
  
  

• Fear that this could happen to anyone.
  
  

• Awe at the scale of the hero’s journey.
  
  

He also added comic relief—funny or light moments that give the audience a break from the tragedy.

Example: The Porter Scene in Macbeth gives a humorous break after Duncan’s murder.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters do not. This creates tension and deeper emotional involvement.

Examples in Macbeth:

Duncan: “He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.”
→ We already know Macbeth is planning to betray him. 

Macbeth: “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
→ Sounds safe, but we know Macduff was born by C-section — technically not of woman born.