Macbeth character summary

Anthology:

Is Macbeth a tragic hero?

following aristoles’ rules -

• tragic heroes evoke pity and fear (a catharsis - emotional release)

• He is not thoroughly good nor is he thoroughly bad → complex individual

• he is of higher status than most and has admirable skills → on the battlefield

In Aristotle’s time, it was believed that the supernatural dictated what happened to a tragic hero → deus ex machina → “god from the machine” → other forces influence the hero

Shakespeare, whislt following aristotles rule of tragic herod, looked inside the hearts and mind of the tragic hero, he came up with his own rules:

1) noble birth

2) neither good nor bad

3) moral dilemma

4) a supernatural effect like a catalyst

5) tragic downfall → due to hamartia that leads to his ultimate destruction and the loss of everything he holds dear.