Sunday, October 30, 2016

Which five quotes from the play prove that Macbeth subscribes to Aristotle's criteria for a tragic hero?

A tragic hero, in Aristotle's definition, must have five characteristics. I have provided a reference and a quote for each:


1. Flaw or error of judgment (hamartia)


In Act 5, scene 7, when Macbeth is confronted by Macduff and learns that the witches have deceived him by telling him 'none of human born shall harm Macbeth' and that Macduff had been from his 'mother's womb untimely ripped,' he acknowledges that he had made a mistake by saying:



Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,
For it hath cow'd my better part of man!



2. A reversal of fortune (peripeteia) brought about because of the hero's error in judgment.


In Act 5, scene 3, Macbeth realises that he is almost at his end. He is distraught and expresses this in a short monologue:



...I am sick at heart,
When I behold—Seyton, I say!—This push
Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now.
I have lived long enough: my way of life
Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf;...



3. The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions (anagnorisis)


Macbeth realises, also in Act 5, scene 3, in the same monologue, that he cannot rely on anyone and that he is despised because of what he has done:



...As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not...



4.  Excessive Pride (hubris)


In Act 4, scene 1, after the witches have predicted that Macbeth shall only be vanquished if Birnam Wood marches up Dunsinane hill, and that no man of woman born shall harm him, he feels invincible and is proud of the fact. He announces:



...Sweet bodements! good!
Rebellion's head, rise never till the wood
Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath
To time and mortal custom...



5. The character's fate must be greater than deserved.


In the end, Macbeth dies an ignominious death and is beheaded by Macduff. His head is placed on a spike to be displayed. He is treated like a common criminal and there is no honour in his death. One would expect that a man of his stature would actually have deserved some respect, but because of his overwhelming malice, none is given.


In the final scene, this contempt for Macbeth is clearly displayed when Macduff greets Malcolm:



Hail, king! for so thou art: behold, where stands
The usurper's cursed head: the time is free:...


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