In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth is a classic example of a tragic hero who constantly struggles with his destiny. In the opening scene of the play, Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches. They proclaim that he will be the thane of Cawdor. He responds by saying: “By the death of Sinel I know that I am the thane of Glamis/ but how of Cawdor” (I, iii, 70-73)? At first he doesn't realize what he must do to earn this title, but when he realizes he is baffled. His perplexity foreshadows his perpetual struggle with his destiny. Macbeth is also overly ambitious, which constantly affects him throughout the play. He is too determined to become king and will kill anyone to make sure that happens. Macbeth's struggle and ambition make him the epitome of the tragic hero. Throughout the play, Macbeth allows his pride to interfere with his judgment and succumbs to the witches' prophecy, leading to his tragic downfall. “Macbeth orders the massacre of innocents in a vain and futile attempt to preserve the kingships threatened by the prophecies” (Hassel). He assassinates King Duncan, his good friend, in order to secure his destiny as king. Although Macbeth knows the difference between good and evil, he falls victim to his tragic flaw: his ambition. His tragic flaw repeatedly leads him to deception and murder. “Macbeth, of generous disposition and good inclinations, but with vehement passions and ambitious desires, was a subject liable to be seduced by splendid prospects and ambitious counsel” (Montagu). Lady Macbeth intensifies Macbeth's ambition by denigrating him and insulting his manhood. Lady Macbeth reprimands him, saying, “What beast was it then/that made you entrust this business to me?” / When you dared to do it, then you were a man ;/...... middle of paper ......ItemID=WE54&WID=17359&SID=5&iPin=BMDWST75&SingleRecord=True>.Hassel Jr., R. Chris . "'No bragging like a fool'?" Macbeth and Herod. Bloom's literature. Facts about File, Inc. Web. January 7, 2014WE54&WID=17359&SID=5&iPin=MCIMAC09&SingleRecord=True>.Montagu, Elizabeth. “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. Bloom Literature, Facts on File, Inc. Web. January 4. 2014ItemID=WE54&WID=17359&SID=5&iPin=STAM015&SingleRecord=True>.Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Macbeth. Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes; British tradition. Kate Kinsella. Upper Saddle River: PearsonEducation, 2005. 300-388. Print.Thrasher, Thomas. Understanding Macbeth. San Diego: Lucent Books, 2002. 77. Pri