Macbeth Tragedy vs Waste essay
Macbeth Tragedy/Waste essay
4. The central feeling in tragedy is waste. Discuss with reference to Macbeth
The man who came up with the concept of tragedy was Aristotle. His concept of a tragic hero stated that a tragic hero must have 3 characteristics:
-Fall from a high place (rich and with self-confidence to homelessness)
-Catharsis or purging of emotions (to make the audience feel moved and feel pity for the tragic hero)
- Have a fatal flaw (usually hubris meaning stubborn/ filled with pride)
Macbeths fall from a high place is not as evident as being rich and losing all your money and becoming homeless. Macbeths fall from a high place has to do with the respect people showed him. People used to revere Macbeths nobility for protecting the king against the invading forces. He compromises his honour and neglects moral responsibility to attain power and position resulting in his tragic end. He compromises his honour and neglects his moral responsibility by killing Duncan in order to get to a position of power.
“I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Act 2, Scene 1 (pg.41) lines62-64
It is at this point that Macbeth begins his spiral downwards. He is no longer himself but he becomes something almost evil and heartless. This is also shown when the three witches warn him about the only way he can be defeated.
“For none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth”
“Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinan hill
Shall come against him” Act 4 Scene 1 (pg.99) lines 80-81, 92-94
Once he realizes that the only way he can be defeated is by Macduff (the one not of woman born) he hires thugs to kill the entire Fife Castle all his family and household. This again proves he no longer is willing to honourable.
The sympathy factor Macbeth is giving as a tragic hero is his honour and his courage. Although he does lose some of it through the play. We see
4. The central feeling in tragedy is waste. Discuss with reference to Macbeth
The man who came up with the concept of tragedy was Aristotle. His concept of a tragic hero stated that a tragic hero must have 3 characteristics:
-Fall from a high place (rich and with self-confidence to homelessness)
-Catharsis or purging of emotions (to make the audience feel moved and feel pity for the tragic hero)
- Have a fatal flaw (usually hubris meaning stubborn/ filled with pride)
Macbeths fall from a high place is not as evident as being rich and losing all your money and becoming homeless. Macbeths fall from a high place has to do with the respect people showed him. People used to revere Macbeths nobility for protecting the king against the invading forces. He compromises his honour and neglects moral responsibility to attain power and position resulting in his tragic end. He compromises his honour and neglects his moral responsibility by killing Duncan in order to get to a position of power.
“I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Act 2, Scene 1 (pg.41) lines62-64
It is at this point that Macbeth begins his spiral downwards. He is no longer himself but he becomes something almost evil and heartless. This is also shown when the three witches warn him about the only way he can be defeated.
“For none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth”
“Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinan hill
Shall come against him” Act 4 Scene 1 (pg.99) lines 80-81, 92-94
Once he realizes that the only way he can be defeated is by Macduff (the one not of woman born) he hires thugs to kill the entire Fife Castle all his family and household. This again proves he no longer is willing to honourable.
The sympathy factor Macbeth is giving as a tragic hero is his honour and his courage. Although he does lose some of it through the play. We see