Heroes are the cornerstone of modern literature, without them, great stories of triumph and tragedy would not exist. Aristotle’s Tragic Hero Theory was created as a criterion to identify and compare the characteristics of such heroes. The main characters in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, are both presented as tragic heroes, having been put against Aristotle’s criteria. Between the two main characters, Okonkwo makes/is the better tragic hero. The reasoning behind this can be seen in the themes of nobility; by creating connections with the reader, choices and consequences; by showcasing his tragic flaw, and fate vs free will; by being controlled by his chi.
Firstly, both characters are introduced with nobility, …show more content…
Macbeth’s tragic flaw is only truly seen mid-way through the play when he was already doomed and therefore does not have a significant role in his character development. Many of the actions that Macbeth commits to lead him to his own destruction are due to external influences such as the witches and Lady Macbeth. The witches instill the idea of becoming king and spark his ambition (tragic flaw), Lady Macbeth ignites this ambition by driving him to kill Duncan. According to Aristotle’s Theory, the hero’s fall is caused by the tragic flaw in their nature, and though the final pieces of Macbeth’s ruin are on his own account, the base of his decline is not purely his own doing. The lack of connection with his tragic flaw can be seen when Lady Macbeth says “What beast was’t, then, that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.” (I, VII, 47-51) Macbeth’s ambition only goes on full blaze once he is pushed externally, his tragic flaw had to be provoked by the witches and Lady Macbeth for it to play a role in his downfall. This is not true with Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw of fear of failure can clearly be seen throughout the whole novel and plays a vital role in his character development. Okonkwo’s flaw originates from his father. He is ashamed that his father was …show more content…
Once Macbeth assumes the throne (by killing Duncan) he digs himself further into the hole of corruption all by himself. He strays further from the path of innocence when killing Macduff’s family and becomes overly confident in his power after hearing the witches’ apparitions. Macbeth rejoices by saying “That will never be … and our high-placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom.” (IV, I, 98-105) By firmly believing that he is invincible, Macbeth foreshadows his own death. He now also deters the reader from any previous feelings of attachment because of his cockiness and continual acts of cruelty and violence. It is almost as if the reader is meant to want Macbeth to die, which should not happen with a tragic hero. Unlike Macbeth, Okonkwo seems to have less control over his life. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo repeatedly blames his chi for anything bad that happens to him. He accuses his bad chi for having a son like Nwoye, making the gun explode, poor growing seasons and the coming of the white men. Okonkwo thinks to himself, “Why, he cried in his heart, should he, Okonkwo, of all people, be cursed with such a son. He saw clearly in it the finger of his personal god or chi … was the very depth of abomination.” (Achebe, 152-152) He firmly believes that it is his chi responsible for
Firstly, both characters are introduced with nobility, …show more content…
Macbeth’s tragic flaw is only truly seen mid-way through the play when he was already doomed and therefore does not have a significant role in his character development. Many of the actions that Macbeth commits to lead him to his own destruction are due to external influences such as the witches and Lady Macbeth. The witches instill the idea of becoming king and spark his ambition (tragic flaw), Lady Macbeth ignites this ambition by driving him to kill Duncan. According to Aristotle’s Theory, the hero’s fall is caused by the tragic flaw in their nature, and though the final pieces of Macbeth’s ruin are on his own account, the base of his decline is not purely his own doing. The lack of connection with his tragic flaw can be seen when Lady Macbeth says “What beast was’t, then, that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.” (I, VII, 47-51) Macbeth’s ambition only goes on full blaze once he is pushed externally, his tragic flaw had to be provoked by the witches and Lady Macbeth for it to play a role in his downfall. This is not true with Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw of fear of failure can clearly be seen throughout the whole novel and plays a vital role in his character development. Okonkwo’s flaw originates from his father. He is ashamed that his father was …show more content…
Once Macbeth assumes the throne (by killing Duncan) he digs himself further into the hole of corruption all by himself. He strays further from the path of innocence when killing Macduff’s family and becomes overly confident in his power after hearing the witches’ apparitions. Macbeth rejoices by saying “That will never be … and our high-placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom.” (IV, I, 98-105) By firmly believing that he is invincible, Macbeth foreshadows his own death. He now also deters the reader from any previous feelings of attachment because of his cockiness and continual acts of cruelty and violence. It is almost as if the reader is meant to want Macbeth to die, which should not happen with a tragic hero. Unlike Macbeth, Okonkwo seems to have less control over his life. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo repeatedly blames his chi for anything bad that happens to him. He accuses his bad chi for having a son like Nwoye, making the gun explode, poor growing seasons and the coming of the white men. Okonkwo thinks to himself, “Why, he cried in his heart, should he, Okonkwo, of all people, be cursed with such a son. He saw clearly in it the finger of his personal god or chi … was the very depth of abomination.” (Achebe, 152-152) He firmly believes that it is his chi responsible for