Macbeth as Tragedy by William Shakespeare - Essay Example

The Elizabethan viewers were so concerned about the subject matter that can be seen in conventional tragedies. Besides, the main characteristics of a tragic play include a hero and his fatal flaw and his death in the end. McEvoy (2006) makes clear that “For Aristotle, a tragedy has a main character, a protagonist” (p. 208). The theme within the play can be divided into several subplots. For instance, the whole play can be considered as Lady Macbeth’s villainy and its aftereffects. At the same time, the play can be considered as the aftereffect of Macbeth’s ambitiousness and impotency (say, his inability to be a father and to commit cruel deeds). On the other side, the play can be evaluated as revenge conducted by King Duncan’s sons. From a different angle of view, the form of the play is strictly limited to the sphere of conventional tragic plays during the Elizabethan age. The literary elements in the play include the basic literary elements of tragedies.

B. Tragic qualities of the play Macbeth and larger messages

The tragic qualities of the play Macbeth are interconnected with the traditional norms of tragedies and tragic heroes. For instance, Shakespeare’s protagonist (say, Macbeth) in the play is not a mere puppet in the hands of fate. Instead, his ultimate doom was caused by the flaw in his character (say, ambitiousness). Besides, Macbeth was free to choose his destiny. But Nicoll (2002), states that “The path of crime leaves Macbeth spiritually devastated” (p.92). For instance, his future might be safe under King Duncan. But he allowed his wife to be more influential in his deeds. This ultimately guided them (say, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth) toward their ultimate doom. To be specific, Shakespeare inculcated his ideas on tragic qualities into the traditional norms of tragic plays and tragic heroes. The larger messages include the possibility of misleading, misguidance, and ultimate doom in human life. To be specific, the larger messages put forth by the dramatist are with universal appeal because ambitiousness beyond limits leads to more and more violence. In general, Lady Macbeth’s influence upon her husband and the way she manipulated him applies to a wider context.

II. Personal opinion
In my opinion, the play conveys much about ambition, opportunism, and violence. Besides, the play can be considered one of the best examples of study in human psychology. As human beings become more and more self-centered, no one will be there to hinder them from violence. From a different angle of view, Lady Macbeth is behind Macbeth’s doom. She very well knew that her husband is ambitious but unable to commit a murder. So, she decided to ignite Macbeth’s ambitiousness and lead him to opportunism and cold-blood murder (say, King Dungun’s murder). But she pointed out that she was unable to murder because the king’s face resembles her father. Shakespeare (2008), points out Lady Macbeth’s influence upon Macbeth is evident from her words “Things without all remedy should be without regard: What’s done is done” (p.42). In short, the play conveys much about humanity, human character, and the attitude of society toward heroism.

Summing up, the characteristics of tragedy in the play Macbeth are not so different from traditional tragic plays. Still, Shakespeare’s idea to inculcate historical subject matters, vivid themes, and cohesive, and unique literary elements in tragedies is noteworthy. The tragic qualities of the play are not so different from traditional tragic plays. But the dramatist’s keen interest in providing ample importance to the cause-effect relationship between a flaw in character and ultimate doom applies to other contexts in human life. In short, Macbeth is a tragedy, a typical Shakespearean tragedy with all the elements of traditional tragic plays. Read More