Theme Of Reversal In Macbeth

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a well-known tragic play which is structured according to Aristotle’s sequence of events: reversal of intention, recognition, and catharsis. It focuses on the main character Macbeth and the effects that selfish ambition can have on a person. Over the course of the play, Macbeth demonstrates nihilistic qualities and begins to believe that there is no meaning to life. He misunderstands human nature and thinks that he is free to act however he pleases. Although it is clear in the play that moral order is clear and present; Macbeth violates this order which leads to his destruction. However, the play would not be a tragedy without this misunderstanding and violation. Macbeth’s fate and misunderstanding of human nature is key to the tragic effect of the play itself. Reversal of intention is the first event to take place in a tragedy. Aristotle defines this as something that occurs when a character causes an effect that is opposite of their intentions. This reversal also …show more content…
Macbeth tells Macduff that he “…bear[s] a charmed life, which must not yield / To one of woman born” (5.8.12-13), to which replies that he was in fact not technically born of a woman. Instead, he was born “from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (5.8.15-16). Macbeth then realizes that the witches’ prophecy is about to come true; Macduff will be the one to kill him since “none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.80-81). Macbeth acknowledges that he is about to die when he says that what Macduff told him about the caesarean section “hath cowed [his] better part of man” (5.8.18) and that he no longer believes the witches because they “palter with us in a double sense / … keep the word of promise to our ear / And break it to our hope” (5.8.20-23). Macbeth’s nihilism, derived from his misunderstanding of human nature, is a key part to his recognition which is a tragic effect of the