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Define tragedy Aristotle ‘s defines tragedy as an imitation of life which, during the climax, something is revealed to the protagonist which causes a reversal of fortune. This reversal of fortune is caused by a flaw in the character- commonly called a “fatal flaw." Tragedy causes the audience to feel - a feeling of pity, fear, and sadness for the protagonist. A tragedy consists of a tragic hero : Here are the basic idea about a tragic hero- The tragic hero is someone great (thus a hero), but not perfect. They are often a noble person in terms of birth (as in a prince, e but also in terms of their character. The flaw in the character is what often leads to his/her downfall (this flaw is called “the fatal flaw”)- When the hero falls (a requirement to be a tragic hero), it is at least partly if not completely his own fault. On the other hand, it's not because he is a bad person but because of the character flaw he has or because of plain bad luck.- What happens to the hero is too harsh. The character flaw that might have caused the downfall doesn't deserve the punishment that he gets.- If the hero lives (or even as he is dying), then through the experience he realizes what caused his downfall and what he could have done to prevent it, so he grows and learns through the misfortune. Term tragedy cannot be reduced to one definition and there are many different types tragedy the main five are: • Neo-classical tragedy • Sencan tragedy • Ancient Greek • Modern tragedy • Elizabethan tragedy
Elizabethan • Macbeth can be categorised into the Elizabethan form of tragedy as can many other of Shakespeare's plays. An Elizabethan tragedy has the following characteristics: • The tragedy must end in a big drama involving the Elizabethan practice, which is the death of the principal character • The drama must not be the result of an accident , but must be caused by the essential trait in the character of the hero used directly or through its effects on others. • the character must have other traits that weigh out the fatal flaw and cause the audience to have a interest in him/her evidently causing the audience to care for the fate of the character, more then anything else in the play. All of these characteristics relate to Macbeth.
Tragedy in Macbeth • Macbeth relates to Aritsotles definition in the way that The character of Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero, who suffered from the fatal flaws of ambition and manipulabilitywhich were both fatal and tragic. He was a hard worker But he couldn't control his ambition and his manipulability by supernatural forces and by his wife. He started down an evil path that he couldn’t be reversed which lead to the loss and destruction of lives and the rise to power and in the end resulting in the misery and suffering of the entire Scottish nation.
Act 1 • The main events that link to tragedy in Macbeth are: • When the witches meet Macbeth and Banquo and declare that Macbeth will one day be king of Scotland. Leading his ambitions to be awaken. • Macbeth got the title of thane of Cawdor, leading him to become more powerful . • The witches declare that Banquo’s son will become king of the future, showing us of his manipulability towards destruction e.g.. killing Banquo A quote supporting the tragedy is when he’s thinking about killing the king and he says : “Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor: If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs”-act 1 scene 3 line: 131
Act 2 • He's need for ambition leads Macbeth to see a vision of a bloodstained dagger and kill the king. He wanted to become king so much that he would sacrifice anything. • He’s influenced by his wife and listens to her showing that he secretly has self doubt. A quote supporting this is : “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation,” act 2- scene, 1 line:33
Summary Act III • Banquo suspects Macbeth killed King Duncan. • Macbeth plans to kills Banquo and his son, Fleance. He doesn’t tell Lady Macbeth that he orders to kills Banquo. • Banquo is kills ,but Fleance escapes. • At the banquet, Macbeth is very terrified because he sees Banquo’s ghost. So he decides to visit the witches. • The witch goddess, Hecate, promises that she will shows Macbeth what will be used to destroy him. • Lennox and another lord was talking about the murders and suspicions of Macbeth’s guilt. • Lennox and another have news that Macduff is with Malcolm in England, planning and repair for return with an army to defeat Macbeth.
Act III related to tragedy because Macbeth shouldn’t have done thing such as killing Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth is confuse and worry about Banquo and Fleance. Quotation ”Thou canst not say I did it! Never shake Thy gory locks at me!” (Act 3, scene 4, Line 50)
Summary Act IV • The magic apparitions tell Macbeth to beware of Macduff. However, he cannot be killed by a man born of a woman. • It also tells Macbeth that he will be safe until Birnam Wood marches against him. • He comes back to the castle and hears from Lennox that Macduff have flee to England. • Macbeth is angry and he orders to murders Lady Macduff and her children. • While in England, Macduff knows nothing of what happened to his family. Until he hears a news, that his wife’s and children murder by Ross (other Thanes). • Malcolm and Macduff plan to get their revenge on Macbeth, with English help. They think Scotland must be free from the suffering that Macbeth has caused.
Act IV related to tragedy is Macbeth orders to murder Lady Macduff and her children because Macduff was fled to England, he is with Malcolm and planning to return with an army to defeat Macbeth . Quotation ”The castle of Macduff I will surprise: Seize upon Fife – give to the edge o’ the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting, like a fool- This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool! But no more sights! (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 150)
Summary Act V • Lady Macbeth is seen to sleepwalking . She trying to wash blood away from her hands and talking about her mind is tormented by what she has done. • Lady Macbeth commits suicide. • A number of Scottish lords march to join forces with Malcolm and his English army are quarter near Birnam Wood. • Macbeth is unafraid after hears that Malcolm’s troops are coming to get him. He confidence in the Witches’ predictions. • While at Birnam Wood, Malcolm’s soldiers cut branches from the trees to disguise their numbers as they approach Macbeth’s castle. • Macbeth is tell that Birnam Wood seems to be moving. Hopeless, he decides to lead his soldiers out and fight to the end. • The troops of Malcolm enter Macbeth castle. Macduff hunts for Macbeth. Act V related to tragedy because Macbeth knows that he have lost everything; Lady Macbeth, the crown and the kingdom.
Summary Act V • Macduff is fighting with Macbeth. Macduff reveals that he was not born of a woman, but by Caesarean. Desperate, Macbeth knows this is the end, but he still fights. • Macduff kills Macbeth. • With Macbeth’s head on a pole, Macduff enters. • Macduff and all another lords are announces their support for Malcolm, the new King of Scotland. Quotation ” She should have died hereafter: There would have been a time for such a word. – Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time –” (Act 5, Scene 5, Line 17)
Universal Ideas Macbeth deals with many universal ideas such as: • Shakespeare shows what it means to be a man, he does this by stereotyping a real man as not one that is ruthless, ambitious and who lacks strength of character e.g. Macbeth . But how a real man is one that sacrifices e.g. Macduff • Shakespeare's Macbeth deals with the Universal Idea’s about guilt, its effects and how not only does it have a big impact on persons mental health but the relationships surrounding that individual. For example Macbeth’s killing evidently lead the guilt to turn him insane. • The temptation that every human has to further oneself in life and career by sacrificing others. For example Macbeth is tempted to kill Duncan to become more powerful.
Why It’s a classic? • Macbeth is a classic example of human nature at its most powerful, weakest and worst. All humans struggle with the temptation to want more than what we have and Macbeth proves to us that some will go to any lengths to get what they want, no matter the sacrifice. Macbeth also makes you think about the roles of ambition, fate and the influence they have in determining where we end up. Macbeth is also a classic because it addresses the fact on how easily humans can be manipulated into doing things and thinking things about themselves and others.
Comment on how language techniques enhance the message being conveyed • Shakespeare uses a lot of symbolism in his words. • Metaphor. • Similies. • Personification. • Soliloquy Character is by themselves talking and expressing their emotion. ”- • Aside A remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters in the play. ”There the grown serpent lies: the worm, that’s fled, Hath nature that in time will venom breed- No teeth for the present.” (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 29)
Offer your ideas on why we study Shakespearian texts • Most of modern English are come from the Shakespeare ‘s English. • Shakespeare is a brilliant writer. • Shakespeare explores the human being: how we react to different events and situations • Ambition Macbeth. • Jealousy Othello. • Tragedy & romantic Romeo and Juliet. • Expands the biblical world view most of his references were from the bible.
