ISC 2025 English Literature Project: What contributes to Macbeth's tragedy? How would you describe Macbeth - a hero or a villain?
Macbeth is a tragedy written by English playwright William Shakespeare in 1606. It dramatizes the consequences of unchecked ambition. The protagonist of the play is a valiant Scottish general and the Thane of Glamis, Macbeth. Macbeth is celebrated as a war hero who had quelled the rebellion against the King. He is a brave general as well as a loyal subject of the Scottish Kingdom, but he is also ambitious by nature. On his way back to Forres, he meets three witches who prophesize to him that Macbeth will become the King of Scotland and Banquo will give birth to a line of Kings. The witches' words ignited the dormant ambition of Macbeth and under the persuasion of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth kills the King and takes the throne of Macbeth. He has become the King, but he cannot enjoy his powers as he is afraid of the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will become the next King, so Macbeth kills Banquo and all those who oppose his rule and soon becomes a tyrant. The bloodbath in the end ...