Here's why:
* Focus on the downfall of a protagonist: Macbeth, a noble and valiant warrior, succumbs to ambition and ultimately faces a tragic end.
* Themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of ambition: The play explores the tension between these ideas and how they shape Macbeth's choices and fate.
* Elevated language and dramatic action: Shakespeare uses powerful imagery, metaphors, and dramatic scenes to heighten the emotional impact of the story.
* The presence of tragic flaws: Macbeth's ambition and his wife's ruthless ambition are key tragic flaws that drive the plot.
While Macbeth has elements of other genres, such as historical drama and supernatural thriller, its core focus on the tragic downfall of its protagonist classifies it primarily as a tragedy.