Hamlet and Macbeth Analyzed as Aristotelian Tragedies
Aristotle's Poetics is considered the guide to a well written tragedy; his methods have been used for centuries. Aristotle defines a tragedy as "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude in the form of an action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions" (House, 82). The philosopher believes the plot to be the most vital aspect of a tragedy, thus all other parts such as character, diction, and thought stem from the plot. Aristotle affirms, "the principle of tragedy the soul, if you like is the plot, and second to that the characters" (Whalley, 27). William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth essentially adhere to this definition. While both plays are not always in agreement with Aristotle's guidelines, they remain distinguished and effective tragedies with regard to the philosopher's criteria.
Aristotle states that tragedy is "an imitation of an action that serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude" (House, 82). Further "the most tragic situations arise between friends or between blood-relations, that is between those in whom are found the affections and loyalties which characterize the good" (House, 84). Hamlet is an excellent example of this. The play centers around Hamlet's quest to avenge his father's death, this being a well-defined, serious action. It is also complete is the sense that all the loose ends are tied together is a sensible, believable manner. In Act 1, Scene 5 the Ghost of old Hamlet reveals the truth about his death to his son when he states, "But know, thou noble youth the serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown" (38-30) Hamlet realizes that he is able to avenge his father's death by killing his uncle. Shakespeare abides by Aristotle's idea of tragedy given that this tragic situation has come between family members.
While the tragedy in Hamlet is within... [continues]
Aristotle's Poetics is considered the guide to a well written tragedy; his methods have been used for centuries. Aristotle defines a tragedy as "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude in the form of an action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions" (House, 82). The philosopher believes the plot to be the most vital aspect of a tragedy, thus all other parts such as character, diction, and thought stem from the plot. Aristotle affirms, "the principle of tragedy the soul, if you like is the plot, and second to that the characters" (Whalley, 27). William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth essentially adhere to this definition. While both plays are not always in agreement with Aristotle's guidelines, they remain distinguished and effective tragedies with regard to the philosopher's criteria.
Aristotle states that tragedy is "an imitation of an action that serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude" (House, 82). Further "the most tragic situations arise between friends or between blood-relations, that is between those in whom are found the affections and loyalties which characterize the good" (House, 84). Hamlet is an excellent example of this. The play centers around Hamlet's quest to avenge his father's death, this being a well-defined, serious action. It is also complete is the sense that all the loose ends are tied together is a sensible, believable manner. In Act 1, Scene 5 the Ghost of old Hamlet reveals the truth about his death to his son when he states, "But know, thou noble youth the serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown" (38-30) Hamlet realizes that he is able to avenge his father's death by killing his uncle. Shakespeare abides by Aristotle's idea of tragedy given that this tragic situation has come between family members.
While the tragedy in Hamlet is within... [continues]
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"Aristotleian Tragedy in Hamlet and Macbeth." StudyMode.com. 12, 2001. Accessed 12, 2001. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Aristotleian-Tragedy-Hamlet-Macbeth-22079.html.
