Aristotle believes that the main character in a tragedy should have a tragic flaw. But due to Aristotle’s detailed definition of a tragedy, most would fail because usually they tend to be dependant on an outside source to apply the tragic flaw. This gives the character no choice, and is forced to commit an undeserved error or mistake, it is then no longer self-contained. This violates Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy because it is his personal motivation that is supposed to start the cause-and-effect chain. In Macbeth, Shakespeare does a really good job with the tragic character because he simply
However, the most incredible of all these passages is found in Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 164-177, where Macbeth contemplates his inner thoughts to himself. Here, Macbeth speaks to time, providing the audience with a more in depth image of its importance. Also, Macbeth’s diction is short and fierce, further pushing the play’s theme of insanity slowly taking over Macbeth’s mind. Lastly, the passage faultlessly illustrates Macbeth’s fatal flaw of ambition slowly ruining his inner being. With these things taken into account, it will be effortless for one to show just how lovely this passage is
This is good stage craft as there is contrast with more romantic movements. I think that Shakespeare did this to keep peoples interest in the play (mainly the groundlings) so more people will come and see the performance and so he then earns more money. The first mention of Romeo is when Montague and Benvolio are talking about his miserable state after being turned down by Rosaline; from the quote ‘with tears augmenting’ depicts Romeo as an over emotional self-obsessed character. Montague’s opinion of Romeo is that he is ‘black and portentous’ which links to the death threat. This is a good way to introduce Romeo as you then know that he deeply believes in love at first sight.
He uses and controls others to diminish the psychological wellbeing of Othello. All of the characters in the book trust him including Othello, which makes him more deceitful. In the beginning of the play Iago say’s “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”. This just reinforces the fact that Iago is fraudulent and untrustworthy. Iago also say’s “My lord, you know I love you” which juxtaposes his previous quote “I hate the moor”.
Hamlet portrays falsity when using rage against Ophelia after discovering she has been apart of a plot of revenge. He uses this as an opportunity to deny his love for her and degrade her until she felt horrible about her self. “I did love you once but you should have not belived me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.”(3.1.114-119). It becomes clear that Hamlet did truly love Ophelia, yet hid it because he was a coward.
Othello then sees and claims Iago to be ‘honest’ throughout the play and believing all the lies that is told to him. This shows that Othello was not responsible for the bulk of the tragedy but being very gullible and not thinking twice for his actions towards his surroundings and helping Iago’s plan for revenge. Quoted by Iago in Act 3 Scene 3, “Men should be what they seem”, gives the irony of illusion and reality. There is an extensive jealousy with Othello and thinking Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio using the napkin Othello gave to Desdemona as the symbol between them, building a chaotic wrath inside
In the two plays, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Macbeth’, the key characters transgress the social moral boundaries. However, Shakespeare manages to create sympathy towards the protagonists. In ‘Macbeth’, he creates sympathy for Macbeth as he shows the tragic downfall of a heroic hero in despair and how he was forced into all his wrong doings. Whereas in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Shakespeare makes the audience feel sympathy towards the young couple as other people are also to blame for their relationship not happening and how they are ‘star crossed lovers’. In this essay, I am going to explain how Shakespeare manages to sympathize with these protagonists.
Aeschylus (Greek tragic dramatist, 525BC-456BC) said, “For this is tyranny’s disease, to trust no friends”. This is exactly what Julius Caesar should have done; not trusted his friends. In Julius Caesar written by William Shakespeare, it is often debated who deserves the role of the tragic hero is this tragedy. Caesar’s tragic flaws do lead to his death, but Brutus is the obvious tragic hero. Although Brutus has the characteristics of a great man such as; nobility, idealism and honesty, what makes him the tragic hero of Julius Caesar is his unassuming sincerity and trust.
Christian Coleman Ms. Zachik AP Lit February 6, 2012 (Dis)honest Iago In Shakespeare’s Othello, honesty (dishonesty) and trust are reoccurring themes that cause the downfall of many. Throughout the play, the word “honest” is used in ironic ways. Take Iago, for example. He represents dishonesty and deceit in society. During the play, he is often referred to as “honest Iago”: “…I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest…” (Act II, Scene iii).
While a good majority of stories and plays concentrate on setting as the environment or location of their story, the setting of Romeo and Juliet shows important ideas and ways of life in Elizabethan times, while also backing up all of the most important ideas in the play. When analysing setting, the cultural environment is just important as the actual time and place. Shakespeare uses a number of Elizabethan beliefs in Romeo and Juliet. This is to help the audience relate to the storyline so they understand what is going on. For instance, fate is one of the most important cultural beliefs in Romeo and Juliet and to show this, the prologue tells the audience that Romeo and Juliet will take their own lives.