This is a place for us to discuss openly and honestly the literature we are reading. Here we are all just communicating our thoughts on what we are reading. There are no right and wrong answers. However, you are expected to be polite, mature, and on topic.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tragic Hero?
To what extent is Macbeth a good example of Aristotle's tragic hero? Try to comment on both sides of the question.(This post closes at midnight on Friday, April 9, 2010.)
Macbeth is a fairly balanced example of Aristotle's tragic hero because he has a flaw in his character. Unlike the general "hero," Macbeth is not perfect. At one point within the play, Macbeth is driven to horrific actions, including murdering King Duncan and Banquo, by his desire for power. His desires ultimately drive him mad, which reveals his weaknesses. Although Macbeth commits various crimes, he remains the hero because of his conscience and his bravery.
Aristotle once stated, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” It is evident that Macbeth is a prime example of Aristotle’s tragic hero. Macbeth seems to be perfect in the beginning. Shakespeare allows the audience to picture Macbeth as the perfect ‘hero’ because of his brave actions. In the beginning, Macbeth achieves the ultimate goal; he ends a battle by murdering a specific man. Then, Shakespeare introduces the negative side of Macbeth. Macbeth starts killing innocent people in order to gain his future predicted by the weird sisters. Macbeth murders King Duncan, but he does not stop there. He then has men murder his closest friend, Banquo. Thus, the change in Macbeth’s actions that illustrate his flaws express the characterization of Aristotle’s tragic hero. GG-0
Macbeth is a tragic hero who has fallen too far and tumbled into villainy. Like the tragic hero described by Aristotle, Macbeth is a noble man of both high rank and gallant qualities; he is Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor, then king, and he is also a brave, strong, and fiercely dedicated fighter. He most definitely has flaws (another requirement of a tragic hero). Macbeth is full of pride and his resolve can be swayed, and as the play continues, he lets his desire control more of his actions and judgements. Tragic heroes must come to tragic ends, and Macbeth certainly does; however, there is great importance in the fact that Macbeth brings his unhappiness upon himself. Additionally, he does not seem to learn from his misfortunes, as a tragic hero should. He neglects the country over which he reigns, and he thinks only of his own desires. By Act IV, Macbeth is sending murderers after innocent women and children simply because it fancies him to do so. While Macbeth begins the play as a wonderful example of Aristotle’s tragic hero, he eventually falls past the title of “tragic hero” and associates himself with evil.
Aristotle's vision of a tragic hero is a character who is a hero yet has flaws. Macbeth goes through a mind battle trying to determine who he is and what he actually wants throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a noble man who risked his life for the betterment of his country. However, after the battle is won, Macbeth has a major character change. He begins to be envious and want the throne for himself. Macbeth faces many challenges and commits awful crimes throughout the play that lead "his people" to no longer consider him a hero. During the resolutin of the play, Macbeth has a revelation. He admits that he has done wrong. Macbeth's flaw is his desire to be on the top. Because of Macbeth's noble and evil actions, a flaw is presented and Macbeth become an example of a tragic hero at the end of the play.
Aristotle's vision of a tragic hero is a character who is a hero yet has flaws. Macbeth goes through a mind battle trying to determine who he is and what he actually wants throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a noble man who risked his life for the betterment of his country. However, after the battle is won, Macbeth has a major character change. He begins to be envious and want the throne for himself. Macbeth faces many challenges and commits awful crimes throughout the play that lead "his people" to no longer consider him a hero. During the resolutin of the play, Macbeth has a revelation. He admits that he has done wrong. Macbeth's flaw is his desire to be on the top. Because of Macbeth's noble and evil actions, a flaw is presented and Macbeth become an example of a tragic hero at the end of the play.
5 comments:
Macbeth is a fairly balanced example of Aristotle's tragic hero because he has a flaw in his character. Unlike the general "hero," Macbeth is not perfect. At one point within the play, Macbeth is driven to horrific actions, including murdering King Duncan and Banquo, by his desire for power. His desires ultimately drive him mad, which reveals his weaknesses. Although Macbeth commits various crimes, he remains the hero because of his conscience and his bravery.
BK-0
Aristotle once stated, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” It is evident that Macbeth is a prime example of Aristotle’s tragic hero. Macbeth seems to be perfect in the beginning. Shakespeare allows the audience to picture Macbeth as the perfect ‘hero’ because of his brave actions. In the beginning, Macbeth achieves the ultimate goal; he ends a battle by murdering a specific man. Then, Shakespeare introduces the negative side of Macbeth. Macbeth starts killing innocent people in order to gain his future predicted by the weird sisters. Macbeth murders King Duncan, but he does not stop there. He then has men murder his closest friend, Banquo. Thus, the change in Macbeth’s actions that illustrate his flaws express the characterization of Aristotle’s tragic hero.
GG-0
Macbeth is a tragic hero who has fallen too far and tumbled into villainy. Like the tragic hero described by Aristotle, Macbeth is a noble man of both high rank and gallant qualities; he is Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor, then king, and he is also a brave, strong, and fiercely dedicated fighter. He most definitely has flaws (another requirement of a tragic hero). Macbeth is full of pride and his resolve can be swayed, and as the play continues, he lets his desire control more of his actions and judgements. Tragic heroes must come to tragic ends, and Macbeth certainly does; however, there is great importance in the fact that Macbeth brings his unhappiness upon himself. Additionally, he does not seem to learn from his misfortunes, as a tragic hero should. He neglects the country over which he reigns, and he thinks only of his own desires. By Act IV, Macbeth is sending murderers after innocent women and children simply because it fancies him to do so. While Macbeth begins the play as a wonderful example of Aristotle’s tragic hero, he eventually falls past the title of “tragic hero” and associates himself with evil.
JJ-0
Aristotle's vision of a tragic hero is a character who is a hero yet has flaws. Macbeth goes through a mind battle trying to determine who he is and what he actually wants throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a noble man who risked his life for the betterment of his country. However, after the battle is won, Macbeth has a major character change. He begins to be envious and want the throne for himself. Macbeth faces many challenges and commits awful crimes throughout the play that lead "his people" to no longer consider him a hero. During the resolutin of the play, Macbeth has a revelation. He admits that he has done wrong. Macbeth's flaw is his desire to be on the top. Because of Macbeth's noble and evil actions, a flaw is presented and Macbeth become an example of a tragic hero at the end of the play.
Aristotle's vision of a tragic hero is a character who is a hero yet has flaws. Macbeth goes through a mind battle trying to determine who he is and what he actually wants throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a noble man who risked his life for the betterment of his country. However, after the battle is won, Macbeth has a major character change. He begins to be envious and want the throne for himself. Macbeth faces many challenges and commits awful crimes throughout the play that lead "his people" to no longer consider him a hero. During the resolutin of the play, Macbeth has a revelation. He admits that he has done wrong. Macbeth's flaw is his desire to be on the top. Because of Macbeth's noble and evil actions, a flaw is presented and Macbeth become an example of a tragic hero at the end of the play.
Post a Comment