NOTES Tragedy


Tragedy is a form of drama that deals with human suffering. There are many definitions of what constitutes tragedy. Broadly speaking, tragedy depicts a hero who thrives at the beginning of a story but then, because of a tragic act, experiences a reversal of fortune. The tragic hero experiences great suffering and hardship in the drama but through this gains greater awareness about himself or the world.Atragedy often concludes with the hero’s death.


Macbeth can be understood as a typical tragedy as it contains the follows tragic elements: 


The hero (Macbeth) is initially a person of high social status and has the potential for greatness.At the start of the play,Macbeth is a bravewarriorwho is honoured byKingDuncan with the title Thane (i.e. Lord) of Cawdor.





Despite his/her potential for greatness, the hero has a tragic flaw. InMacbeth’s case this is his excessive ‘vaulting ambition’ and excessive pride.





The hero commits a tragic act that eventually contributes to his/her downfall. In Macbeth’s case it is the murder of Duncan.





The hero experiences a reversal of fortune. Macbeth was once celebrated as a noble warrior; by the end of the play he is despised by all of Scotland.





Through suffering, the hero gains wisdom. Towards the end of the play, Macbeth realises the meaninglessness of his immoral life.He understands the pointlessness of his own ambition and his inability to control his fate.





The tragic hero inspires pity. The audience pities Macbeth’s flawed humanity which caused his moral blindness.





The tragedy also excites fear. The audience of Macbeth feel fear for themselves. If a potentially great man like Macbeth can bring about his own downfall, it is very possible for others to destroy themselves.


Potential for Greatness and High Social Status At the beginning of a tragedy, the tragic hero prospers and exhibits the potential for greatness. Macbeth begins the play as a celebrated soldierwhose bravery and nobility earn himrespect and new titles from King Duncan. Macbeth is hailed as ‘brave Macbeth’, ‘Valour’s minion’ and ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’ in praise of his heroics. Duncan displays his affection for Macbeth by referring to him as his ‘valiant cousin’ (Act 1, Sc 2). Macbeth is awarded the title ofThane ofCawdor for his courage.This honour elevates himsocially.


Duncan explains how highly he esteems himand points toMacbeth’s potential to grow in greatness: ‘I have begun to plant thee, and will labour / To make thee full of growing’ (Act 1, Sc 4). Macbeth recognises his newly earned respect and tells Lady Macbeth that he is reluctant to disregard this in hasty pursuit of the crown: ‘He [Duncan] hath honoured me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon’ (Act 1, Sc 7)


138


Shakespeare stresses how much Macbeth has to lose. His eventual state of wretchedness is all the more tragic as he falls froma position of such favour and prosperity (see Tragic Reversal on page 140).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192