Character Makes Fate
Introduction
Macbeth is the last of the four tragedies written by Shakespeare. Shakespeare depicts how Macbeth, who was once a powerful hero, sinks into a tyrant bringing calamity to the country and people. That reflected his individual ambition and lust for power, which destroyed human nature and showed us the essence of anti-humanity caused by the extreme individualism. There exists inner certainty in Macbeth’s tragedy, which is the ambitious desire, the sense of guilty for vicious circle and unfounded persistence and confidence. Macbeth’s tragedy was not only the tragedy of disposition, but also that of the society.
This paper structurally consists of six parts: a brief introduction to the play; a tragic character; Macbeth’s individuality; the drive of the internal factor and conclusion. The purpose of this paper is to indicate Macbeth’s fate is determined by his character which has been developed under the interaction between external and internal factors.
1. A brief introduction to the play
Macbeth is in some respect a relatively simple play; its structure follows a standard conventional form: the rise and fall of a great man. As one of King Duncan’s chief generals and closest military advisers, Macbeth is led to perform wicked deeds by the prophecies of three witches and the machinations of his wife. Finally, he loses everything.
Macbeth is a totally different drama. There is nothing at all theatrical about the presentation of his character. He is not confide in us or seeks to establish any cozy relationship with the audience. There is nothing in Macbeth’s character or conduct which invites us to see any black humor in the play (other than the brief scene with the porter). Instead there is an astonishingly penetrating development of Macbeth’s character. The focus here is directly upon what he is thinking and feeling, why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his own evil brings about upon himself. And the profundity of Shakespeare’s examination
Macbeth is the last of the four tragedies written by Shakespeare. Shakespeare depicts how Macbeth, who was once a powerful hero, sinks into a tyrant bringing calamity to the country and people. That reflected his individual ambition and lust for power, which destroyed human nature and showed us the essence of anti-humanity caused by the extreme individualism. There exists inner certainty in Macbeth’s tragedy, which is the ambitious desire, the sense of guilty for vicious circle and unfounded persistence and confidence. Macbeth’s tragedy was not only the tragedy of disposition, but also that of the society.
This paper structurally consists of six parts: a brief introduction to the play; a tragic character; Macbeth’s individuality; the drive of the internal factor and conclusion. The purpose of this paper is to indicate Macbeth’s fate is determined by his character which has been developed under the interaction between external and internal factors.
1. A brief introduction to the play
Macbeth is in some respect a relatively simple play; its structure follows a standard conventional form: the rise and fall of a great man. As one of King Duncan’s chief generals and closest military advisers, Macbeth is led to perform wicked deeds by the prophecies of three witches and the machinations of his wife. Finally, he loses everything.
Macbeth is a totally different drama. There is nothing at all theatrical about the presentation of his character. He is not confide in us or seeks to establish any cozy relationship with the audience. There is nothing in Macbeth’s character or conduct which invites us to see any black humor in the play (other than the brief scene with the porter). Instead there is an astonishingly penetrating development of Macbeth’s character. The focus here is directly upon what he is thinking and feeling, why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his own evil brings about upon himself. And the profundity of Shakespeare’s examination
References: Johnston, Ian. Studies in Shakespeare [D]. Malaysian-University College, Nanaimo, BC. 2001.朱生豪. 莎士比亚著名悲剧六种—麦克白[M]. 济南:山东文艺出版社，1992. 萧乾. 莎士比亚悲剧故事[M]. 南京: 译林出版社，2009. Amazon, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. . “The Supernatural in Macbeth”