Macbeth - Aristotles Theory of a Tragic Hero Essay Example
In Shakespeare's tragedies, one element is constant – that of a tragic hero. They each share certain traits that can be traced back to the theory of a Greek philosopher, Aristotle. Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth is no different, it tells the tale of brave Macbeth with an ambition to be king and explores how far a person would be willing to go to get what they want. In Macbeth’s case the answer is murder, first of King Duncan, then others to assure his title. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is defined as someone of nobility who has a tragic, fatal flaw. This flaw would then cause them a reversal in fortune and an increase in self-awareness, provoking emotions of pity in the audience. Macbeth is certainly a tragic hero as he exhibits all of these characteristics throughout the play.
Although Aristotle’s theory of a tragic hero was written around 300BC it was still applied to Shakespeare's Macbeth written between 1606 and 1611, during the reign of King James I. Shakespeare would have been writing trying to appeal to not only the masses but also the king. King James I had a particular fascination with magic and witchcraft, which Shakespeare has clearly taken into account when trying to please him. He has also tried to appeal to a majority of people that would have seen the play by making it easy to relate to Macbeth. He is a naturally good-natured man with a flaw that he fights with, which is a situation many could relate to.
Aristotle’s first characteristic of a tragic hero is that they must be noble in status and in character. Macbeth is undeniably noble in status, as when we are first introduced to him he is “Thane of Glaims” and cousin to the king. Later we learn that he lives in a castle with his wife, Lady Macbeth, who greets him “Great Glamis, Worthy Cawdor” also indicative of his status. Macbeth is highly regarded by his peers because he killed the Thane of Cawdor, who had betrayed the king. For this great service Macbeth was awarded the title
Although Aristotle’s theory of a tragic hero was written around 300BC it was still applied to Shakespeare's Macbeth written between 1606 and 1611, during the reign of King James I. Shakespeare would have been writing trying to appeal to not only the masses but also the king. King James I had a particular fascination with magic and witchcraft, which Shakespeare has clearly taken into account when trying to please him. He has also tried to appeal to a majority of people that would have seen the play by making it easy to relate to Macbeth. He is a naturally good-natured man with a flaw that he fights with, which is a situation many could relate to.
Aristotle’s first characteristic of a tragic hero is that they must be noble in status and in character. Macbeth is undeniably noble in status, as when we are first introduced to him he is “Thane of Glaims” and cousin to the king. Later we learn that he lives in a castle with his wife, Lady Macbeth, who greets him “Great Glamis, Worthy Cawdor” also indicative of his status. Macbeth is highly regarded by his peers because he killed the Thane of Cawdor, who had betrayed the king. For this great service Macbeth was awarded the title