Hamlet and Macbeth Compared as Aristotelian Tragedies Essay

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a tragedy in which the main characters are obsessed by the desire for power. Macbeth’s aspiration for power blinds him to the ethical implications of his dreadful acts. The more that Shakespeare’s Macbeth represses his murderous feelings, the more he is haunted by them. By analyzing his hallucinations it is possible to trace his deteriorating mental state and the trajectory of his ultimate fall. Throughout the play Macbeth is never satisfied with himself. He feels the need to keep committing crime in order to keep what he wants most: his kingship. The harder Macbeth tries to change his fate the more he tends to run into his fate. His ambition and struggle for power was Macbeth’s tragic flaw in the play.

Shakespeare is one of the most influential and famous playwrights of modern times. A major reason his work is loved by so many is because of his insightfulness into the human mind, and one of Shakespeare’s greatest works demonstrating this is Macbeth. This famous play is about nobleman and military man Macbeth and how his tragic choices lead to his inevitable demise. The first and most trying choice that Macbeth has to make is whether or not to kill Duncan, the king of Scotland. Macbeth has to make this decision while being pulled in different directions by two conflicting forces. The force pulling him away from murder is his loyalty and humanity towards Duncan. The other force pulling him towards murder is his loyalty towards Lady Macbeth

Aristotle is known widely for developing his ideas on tragedy. He recorded these ideas in his Poetics in which he comments on the plot, purpose, and effect that a true tragedy must have. The structure of these tragedies has been an example for many writers including Shakespeare himself. Many of Shakespeare’s plays follow Aristotelian ideas of tragedy, for instance Macbeth does a decent job in shadowing Aristotle’s model.

Throughout time, the tragedy has been seen as the most emotionally pleasing form of drama, because of its ability to bring the viewer into the drama and feel for the characters, especially the tragic hero. This analysis of tragedy was formed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, and also noted in his Poetics (guidelines to drama). As a playwright, Shakespeare used Aristotle’s guidelines to tragedy when writing Othello. The play that was created revolved around the tragic hero, Othello, whose tragic flaw transformed him from a nobleman, into a destructive creature, which would inevitably bring him to his downfall. This transformation follows an organic movement of the complex plot from the beginning, middle, to the end of the drama while

Hamlet and Macbeth Comparative Essay Shakespeare’s plays were greatly influenced by the beliefs and order during the Elizabethan era. In fact, most conflicts that occurred on his tragic plays such as Hamlet and Macbeth are based from the superstitious beliefs back then. In addition, both protagonists portrayed an ideal hero archetype.

Akin to many Elizabethan dramas, there has been much discussion regarding the concept of tragedy in “Hamlet”. One definition of tragedy offered by the Oxford English Dictionary is ‘a serious play with an unhappy ending’. However, the concept is broader and more complex than the definition aforementioned. Aristotle is believed to have offered the first (and perhaps the most suitable) definition. According to Aristotle’s Poetics, a tragedy must involve a reversal of fortune of the main character. This character must be of great character and dignity so that his downfall is all the more spectacular which leads to the audience feeling pity and fear; two essential traits required for a drama to be defined as a tragedy. This downfall is

In some cases, an author will present the same idea in more than one way in order for various types of thinkers to comprehend their work. When analyzing William Shakespeare's’ “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” Shakespeare uses different literary devices to provide his opinion on the same subject. In the tragedy of “Macbeth” the protagonist strives to fulfill a prophecy spoken to him by three witches who plot on his downfall. His greed and paranoia leads to his loss of grace and ultimately his death.The tragedy of “Hamlet” focuses on a young man who in his attempts to avenge his father, constantly contemplates life and becomes obsessed with the idea of death until he leads himself right to his own death. These two stories have contrasting aspects, yet they share the same subject: death. In “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” Shakespeare uses included and omitted details to convey the theme of insignificance after death.

Aristotle thoroughly describes his understanding of the tragedy in the Poetics and bases this conception on certain requirements. According to Aristotle the three most important variables that define a tragedy are plot, characters, and theme. Using Oedipus Rex as a sort of ideal, this philosopher demonstrates how a tragedy functions in order to evoke catharsis while exploring themes and human flaws, or mistakes. In Oedipus Rex, the main figure, Oedipus the King is a subject of fate, unable to escape himself and his desire to uncover the truth. In essence, this drama demonstrates the fall of a prominent figure brought down by his inescapable fortune and self-destruction. I definitely believe it is difficult to find a modern day tragedy that

   William Shakespeare has written many literary works - from his sonnets to his plays, each has it's own individual characteristics.  One popular characteristic that comes from his plays is the tragic hero.  The audience can always relate to the tragic hero and the many trials he faces.  Macbeth and Hamlet are just two of Shakespeare's plays that involve the tragic hero.  Through their nobility, tragic flaws, and dignity Macbeth and Hamlet prove to be tragic heroes.

As Horatio puts it, “Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Hamlet (5.2 97-98). On the other hand, even though he dies in battle on the battle field, Macbeth isn’t able to die honorably, because of all the lives he has taken, purely for his own potential need. So says Macduff as he enters with Macbeth’s head. “Hail, King! for so thou art. Behold where stands Th’ usurper’s cursèd head. The time is free. I see thee compassed with thy kingdom’s pearl,” Macbeth (5.8 65-67)

A Comparison of Macbeth and Hamlet MACBETH stands in contrast throughout with Hamlet; in the manner of

According to Aristotle’s definition of tragedy, the plot of a tragedy is above all the most important element, and for one to write a successful tragedy, one must have an excellent plot. In his Poetics, Aristotle lists four

In his Theory of Tragedy in the Poetics, Aristotle explains the characteristics necessary to create a good tragedy. He defines tragedy as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude.” In other words, a tragedy must be focused and realistic. It must also evoke a “sense of fear and pity within the audience”, through its six parts, and end with a katharsis or cleansing of these emotions. The six parts of, a tragedy determines the quality and the most important parts include: plot and character. Aristotle also outlined the characteristics necessary in order to create an ideal tragic hero. Oedipus the King written by Sophocles, is an example of a perfect tragedy and Oedipus is a perfect example of a tragic hero.

“Tragedy is an imitation not just of a complete action, but of events that evoke pity and fear.” The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle gave the classic theory of tragedy a distinguishable definition. There are various elements included in a tragedy, making it both successful and enjoyable. From the dramatic plot to the audaciousness of characters that create intensity, every element is necessary to construct the classic tragedy. This can be observed through action as seen in Shakespeare’s Othello. Shakespeare’s play Othello, most closely resembles the Greek philosopher’s theory of tragedy that achieves Aristotle 's four unities (simplify this sentence): Hamartia, Peripetia, Anagnorisis and Catharsism. With Shakespeare adapting Aristotle’s

According to Aristotle, in order for a novel to be considered a tragedy it must meet several guidelines. There are three main categories in a tragedy: character, values, and a conclusion. There is always one noble character in a tragedy and he or she must noble by both birth and action. With the noble character’s greatness he or she always has a tragic flaw and a downfall in the conclusion of the story. Values in a tragedy are told by supernatural powers and they determine what is right and what is wrong in a piece of literature. The conclusion consists of the character understanding why he or she fell, how he or she accepts punishment, and how order is restored. William Shakespeare covers all of Aristotle’s guidelines for a tragedy in his novel Macbeth.