Tragedy Of Macbeth Essays - Characters In Macbeth,

Tragedy Of Macbeth What is a tragedy? According to Aristotle, a tragedy is a genre aimed to present a heightened and harmonious imitation of nature, and, in particular, those aspects of nature that touch most closely upon human life. He said a tragedy must have six parts: plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle, and sons (Booth 29). William Shakespeare's Macbeth, attains these distinctive qualities. The witches' prophecies, peer pressure to commit murder and fate are all examples of such qualities. The Tragedy of Macbeth starts with three witches' who tell Macbeth that he will be the Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and King of Scotland. As the play progresses, Macbeth slowly relies on the witches' prophecies. As a result of the prophecies, Macbeth's curiosity of how he could be the King of Scotland arouses. Macbeth's ambition influenced his declining character. However, Macbeth's ambition had not been strong enough to carry the motive to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth's influence also came in to play because if not for Lady Macbeth, his ambition would not have been intensified enough to drive him to obtain and maintain his title of King of Scotland no matter what it took, even if it meant murdering (Sisson 123). At first Macbeth refuses to kill Duncan but, after Lady Macbeth taunts him for his cowardice, he replies, I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. (1.7.46-47) After Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth, he considers murdering Duncan. Her taunts made Macbeth feel less of a man, especially, when she considers murdering Duncan herself. After awhile of taunting Macbeth was convinced to murder his friend, his king Duncan. After the murder has been commited, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to act like the innocent flower, but be a serpent underneath. She overcomes for only awhile the moral scruples and terrible visions of her husband (Campbell 211), A little water clears us of this deed (2.2.66) Macbeth's first murder was a trying experience for him, however after the first murder, killing seemed to be the only solution to maintain his reign of the people of Scotland. Macbeth overflowed in power, but yet he felt remoarse for things he had done, But wherefore could not I pronounce ? AMEN I had most need of blessing, and ?AMEN? stuck in my throat (2.2?) So Macbeth continues-the power of evil feeding on every move he makes-to make for his advancement as prophesied by the witches'. He hires his men to eliminate Banquo, a threat to his cumulative reign. Having Banquo out of his way Macbeth surges with the sense of power (Jorgensen 83). Later on in the play Macbeth returns to the three witches, wanting more information regarding his fate. An apparition appears, of a head with a helmet on. It warns to beware of Macduff. The Second apparition, a bloody child, gives important information. ? None of woman born shall harm Macbeth?, with this information on his hands Macbeth considers himself invisible. The third apparition, a crowned child with a tree, he tells Macbeth tha he will be in no danger until ? Birnam Wood comes to high Dunsinane Hill.? Invisible power! Macbeth forgets two of the three prophecies and locks one in his head ? none of woman born shall harm Macbeth? (Everret 143). The witches' have prophesied again, with an unforeseeable truth. With his sense of immortality high in his head Macbeth leaves the witches', overtaken by his ambition. Fearing nothing Macbeth begins to ask himself questions, How could Macduff, a man of woman born, hurt me? How could the Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane Hill? Having all the confidence in the world, Macbeth continues his harmful ways. At this point his fate acquired complete control over him, he had found security and trust in something he trusted, the witches' words. Later in the play while staying in his castle, Macbeth and his army make plans to attack Macduff and his army. Suddenly, a messenger comes looking for him. The messenger, unsure of how to report what he saw, says Birnam Wood appeared to move. Macbeth realizes that the first prophecy is fulfilled. Macbeth worries that he is stuck fighting by himself after his army is overpowered. He wonders who was not born of a woman. For the first time in awhile Macbeth shows fear. His army who guarded the castle was slaughtered,