Structuralism In Macbeth - 1232 Words

Introduction Shakespeare s play Macbeth follows the downfall of an already great hero Macbeth, a valiant warrior, who allows himself to be so intoxicated in his own ambition that he descends into a mad and thoughtless killer. Character archetype, Hamartia As a character archetype Macbeth is a tragic hero, in the play he is both a protagonist and an antagonist. His hamartia, tragic flaw, is his ambition and greed for power. Macbeth is consciously aware of his actions and the consequences to follow even before the murder of King Duncan. He expresses his self awareness throughout the play and most significantly in Act1 Scene 7 when he is onstage alone with the audience and admits in his soliloquy that killing King Duncan will not make him†¦show more content†¦Throughout the play dramatic irony is delivered through juxtapositions and metaphors. Because the play is short, the storyline is fast paced and in order to progress the plot in a sequential order the characters must interact and converse with each other under a sense of urgency. Aristotle s rules for a tragedy Aristotle s rules for a tragedy state: the protagonist, Macbeth, must fall from power to intense misery; the protagonist must then commit an act which holds them responsible for their own death. The play fits the description of Aristotle s rules however in Act 1 Scene 7 where Macbeth exposes his weakness on stage through his soliloquy the play no longer takes the course of a classic tragic structure. He is aware of his hamartia and they play can t be about his self discovery. This increased self awareness assures the audience that Macbeth knows he s done wrong, and knows he will do more wrong. Throughout the play Macbeth is forced to confront the fact that since he can t go back in time and undo what he has done, he must carry on. Rather than antagonizing Macbeth, Shakespeare uses this particular soliloquy to offer the audience the opportunity to grasp the extent of the consequences of his actions, and to allow the audience to sympathize and pity the fear Macbeth has of his own demise. All tying back to the ambiguous universal theme of good and bad, fate and free will. Macbeth s character developmentShow MoreRelatedThe Treatment Of Women In Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing1941 Words   |  8 Pagesto endorse a view of women s nature, as Terence Hawkes believed. This idea of going against the male grain of the play and abandoning the female nature, dominated by marriage and the prospect of children, draws comparisons to Lady Macbeth in the play, Macbeth. This comparison is also relevant when Beatrice exclaims, O God that I were a man! (Act 4:1), when confronted by her own conflicting emotions in her desire for Claudio to be killed. This idea of women becoming unsexed to commit acts