Macbeth was one of Shakespeare's most tragic heroes. He had faults and weaknesses, he was very noble but he lost his qualities because of gambling. He was a courageous and noble man who was corrupted by superstition, love and boundless enthusiasm. The three points that contributed to Macbeth's decline are first the prophecy told by the three witches, the influence and manipulation of Lady Macbeth, and finally Macbeth's long-standing enthusiasm to become king. He could have been the courageous hero at the beginning of the play, but he progressed in a downward spiral that brought his condemnation and made him a tragic hero. Macbeth was a strong nobleman. He and Banquo were the leaders of King Duncan's army. The captain describes Macbeth's strength and power which won him battles: "But all is too weak:/ For brave Macbeth -- well, he deserved the name- / Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/ Who smoked with bloody execution, / Like bravery. the servant dug his way/Until he faced the slave; » (1.2.17-22). But Lady Macbeth then pressured Macbeth to kill Duncan in order to become king by calling him a woman and destroying his self-confidence. “When you dared to do it, then you were a man;/And to be more than what you were, you would be all the more the man” (1.7. 56-58). As she said this, Macbeth lost his courage, but when he fought with Macduff, he regained some of his courage and strength. Macbeth had difficulty hesitating, he was a very courageous man but his easily persuaded personality became an obstacle to his activities. When he was talking about killing Duncan, he changed his mind several times before doing it. He was the kind of guy who had to take pressure from someone like his wife or the spirit...... middle of paper... more than later, but by the time Macbeth did it, it was too late. He realizes he made a mistake, but now backing down was no longer an option because even though he was cruel and greedy, he was still noble deep down. “Why should I throw away Rma’s fool and die/on my own sword?” As long as I see lives, the slashes do better on them.” Macbeth's death was strangely sympathetic, you almost had to feel bad for him. He was corrupt and ultimately had no choice but to be a murderer. Macbeth begins as a noble and courageous warrior, who had great flaws that made him a tragic hero. He took a few wrong turns and let his superstition, love and boundless enthusiasm overcome him and he lost his title of "noble man" and even lost his love because of his cruel desire to be king. Works Cited Shakespeare, William and John Wilders. Macbeth. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2004. Print.