Macbeth

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Macbeth

William Shakespeare wrote four great tragedies, the last of which was written in
1606 and titled Macbeth. This "tragedy", as it is considered by
societal critics of yesterday's literary world, scrutinizes the evil dimension
of conflict, offering a dark and gloomy atmosphere of a world dominated by the
powers ofdarkness. Macbeth, more so than any of Shakespeare's other tragic
protagonists, has to face the powers and decide: should he succumb or should he
resist? Macbeth understands the reasons for resisting evil and yet he proceeds
with a disastrous plan, instigated by the prophecies of the three Weird Sisters.
Thus we must ask the question: If Macbeth is acting on the impulses stimulated
by the prophecies of his fate, is this Shakespearean work of art really a
Tragedy? Aristotle, one of the greatest men in the history of human thought,
interpreted Tragedy as 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. This I think Macbeth attains. However, Aristotle adds a
few conditions. According to Aristotle, a tragedy must have six parts: plot,
character, diction, thought, spectacle, and song. Most important is the plot,
the structure of the incidents. Tragedy is not an imitation of men, but of
action and life. It is by men's actions that they acquire happiness or sadness.
Aristotle stated, in response to Plato, that tragedy produces a healthful effect
on the human character through a katharsis, a "proper purgation" of
"pity and terror." A successful tragedy, then, exploits and appeals at
the start to two basic emotions: fear and pity. Tragedy deals with the element
of evil, with what we least want and most fear to face, and with what is
destructive to human life and values. It also draws out our ability to
sympathize with the tragic character, feeling some of the impact of the evil
ourselves. Does Macbeth succeed at this level? Can the reader feel pity and
terror for Macbeth? Or does the reader feel that Macbeth himself is merely a
branch from the root of all evil and not the poor, forsaken, fate-sunken man,
according to Aristotle's idea of tragedy, he is supposed to portray? Can the
reader "purge" his emotions of pity and fear by placing himself in the
chains of fate Macbeth has been imprisoned in? Or does he feel the power and
greed upon which Macbeth thrives, prospers, and finally falls? I believe the
latter is the more likely reaction, and th...

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