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The second flaw that leads to Robert's downfall is his greed. He wants all control of Scotland along with the love of the people. "Robert the Bruce has hither to sometimes support the cause of the Scottish resistance, but he had been ready enough to mount the Scottish throne as an English vassel." (Donaldson 7) His greed pushes him to do things that he really doesn't want to do. In 1306 Robert the Bruce murders John Comyn, a contender for the Scottish crown. (Donaldson 6) Robert and Comyn were in a church when a fight broke out; the after effects left Comyn dead on the church floor. .
The third characteristic that makes Robert the Bruce a tragic hero is his tragic downfall and this downfall had many steps. The first was in July of the following year where he betrays Wallace at the battle of Falkirk where Wallace is defeated at the hands of King Edward himself. (Bingham 2). Before that battle Robert promised Wallace that he would give him support, but when the battle ensues Robert is found on the English side, with King Edward, fighting against Wallace and the Scottish. Wallace, without Robert, was no match for the English when he met under Edward himself at Falkirk. (Donaldson 2) William got away from the battle alive, thanks to Robert. A guilty Robert picked up William when he was down on the battlefield, and gave him to one of the Scottish soldiers to bring him to safety. .
Robert's final downfall step came in 1305 when he invited Wallace to his home to talk about joining forces, but when Wallace arrived, there was an English platoon waiting for him. He was captured and brought to London to die a trader's death. (Britannia 3) He was hung, drawn and quartered at Smithfield. (Bingham 5) Although these events made Robert look like a truly evil person, he was trying to get the respect from the people of Scotland, but the death of Wallace tragically inflamed the Scottish people against him.
