Which is the best example of a tragic impulse from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth?

A. Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking because of her guilt over the murders.

B. Macbeth is overconfident about victory because of the witches' prophecies.

C. Macbeth shows courage when he refuses to surrender to Macduff.

D. Macbeth realizes the witches' prophecies were false when he sees Birnam Wood advancing.

Question

Marlee

English

6 April, 00:18

Which is the best example of a tragic impulse from Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth?

A. Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking because of her guilt over the murders.

B. Macbeth is overconfident about victory because of the witches' prophecies.

C. Macbeth shows courage when he refuses to surrender to Macduff.

D. Macbeth realizes the witches' prophecies were false when he sees Birnam Wood advancing.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Desmond Andrews · Answer 1

A tragic impulse is an impulse that leads a character to destruction, either of himself (or herself) or of another.

Therefore, the example that best illustrates a tragic impulse would be B.

It is because of the witches' prophecies that Macbeth believes his wishes will be fulfilled. His overconfidence leads to his destruction. Thus, this confidence is a tragic impulse.