Macbeth: Tragedy or Not?
Aristotle defined the term tragedy as, “A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.” (Web). With this in mind, William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, is a tragedy because the main characters suffer from their flaws. The play's tragic plot is illustrated through Macbeth's lust for power, Lady Macbeth's manipulation of her husband, and violence which leads to Macbeth's death. When the play begins, Macbeth learns, from three witches that he will one day be king. They also tell …show more content…
Macbeth tells his wife he no longer wants to go through with Duncan’s assassination. She is outraged and calls him a coward and says, “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” (Web). Macbeth is worried that their plan might fail. Lady Macbeth assures him that they will not get caught. She is aware of the prophecy of Macbeth being king. She wants power and she masterfully manipulates her husband into murdering Duncan. She not only wants Macbeth to become king, she wants to be queen. She too, has a relentless lust for power. Violence is a recurring theme in Macbeth. Blood, also seems to be a theme in many scenes, starting with Macbeth’s heroism on the battlefield. In addition, there are a series of bloody murders which include Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son. Blood is an important theme at the beginning of Act 5. Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and constantly rubbing a spot she envisions on her hands. The “spot” she …show more content…
These actions are clearly illustrated through the characters and their actions. This is one of Shakespeare’s shortest and best known tragedies. The story spans Macbeth's bloody rise to power to his tragic downfall and demise. Macbeth has every element that is found in a typical tragedy. “Tragedy is generally built up in 5 stages: a) happy times b) the introduction of a problem c) the problem worsens to a crisis or dilemma d) the characters are unable to prevent the problem from taking over e) the problem results in some catastrophic, grave ending, which is the tragedy culminated.”
Aristotle defined the term tragedy as, “A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.” (Web). With this in mind, William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, is a tragedy because the main characters suffer from their flaws. The play's tragic plot is illustrated through Macbeth's lust for power, Lady Macbeth's manipulation of her husband, and violence which leads to Macbeth's death. When the play begins, Macbeth learns, from three witches that he will one day be king. They also tell …show more content…
Macbeth tells his wife he no longer wants to go through with Duncan’s assassination. She is outraged and calls him a coward and says, “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” (Web). Macbeth is worried that their plan might fail. Lady Macbeth assures him that they will not get caught. She is aware of the prophecy of Macbeth being king. She wants power and she masterfully manipulates her husband into murdering Duncan. She not only wants Macbeth to become king, she wants to be queen. She too, has a relentless lust for power. Violence is a recurring theme in Macbeth. Blood, also seems to be a theme in many scenes, starting with Macbeth’s heroism on the battlefield. In addition, there are a series of bloody murders which include Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son. Blood is an important theme at the beginning of Act 5. Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and constantly rubbing a spot she envisions on her hands. The “spot” she …show more content…
These actions are clearly illustrated through the characters and their actions. This is one of Shakespeare’s shortest and best known tragedies. The story spans Macbeth's bloody rise to power to his tragic downfall and demise. Macbeth has every element that is found in a typical tragedy. “Tragedy is generally built up in 5 stages: a) happy times b) the introduction of a problem c) the problem worsens to a crisis or dilemma d) the characters are unable to prevent the problem from taking over e) the problem results in some catastrophic, grave ending, which is the tragedy culminated.”