Macbeth as a Tragic Hero For Macbeth to be considered a "tragic hero", he must have some potential nobility, some good qualities that make his downfall terrifying. He must be examined as a human being with human weaknesses. Is he who, as Lady Macbeth says, Act I, Sc. v, "is too full of the milk of human kindness to take the nearest road" or is he the "butcher" whom Malcolm considers in the final scene of the play? Or is he a victim of his ambition or moral weaknesses or his limited concept of manhood, or even a set of circumstances that cause him to fall? From the opening scene Macbeth is chosen as the target of temptation; witches, as agents of evil, plot their trap; then the ground is ready for its fall. A good quality of Macbeth is his courage. We learn of his physical prowess and courage on the battlefield: "brave Macbeth", "the servant of valor", "valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!", he is an eagle, a lion, "Bellona's husband" . These are the outward signs seen by the Captain, Duncan and Ross, Act I, Sc.ii. Unfortunately, Macbeth is prone to temptation. In the following scene we observe his interest in the Witches' predictions. He is tempted: "Your children will be kings"; but temptation is not guilt. When Ross tells him that he has been made Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth asks, "why do you clothe me in borrowed clothes?" Does this suggest that, at this stage, he does not want honors that are not rightfully his?* A Materialist - In this soliloquy (aside) in Act I,Sc. iii let us see how the fulfillment of the first prediction works on him. Is he being a materialist here, seeking success and closing his eyes to the fact that success and goodness do not necessarily go together? Is this what Lady Macbeth sees in him when she says in Act I, Sc. v, "would you not play false and yet win unfairly?"* Virtuous or hypocritical - He is aware of his duties as a subject "...and our duties are To your throne and state, children and servants, who do nothing but what you ought, doing all things safely to your love and honor." Is this an inclination of his virtue, or is it hypocrisy?* Conscience?