Macbeth: A Tragic Hero :: essays research papers

Tragedy occurs to some more often to others, but close to define it differently. Websters Dictionary defines it as a kind of sport in which some fatal or mournful event occurs (764). To philosophers and handed-down writers philosophy takes on another meaning. For example, to famous philosophical figure Aristotle, catastrophe occurs when noble or great persons are led, through pride or a secret flaw in their personalities, to suffering that changes their fortune. The tragic scrapper must begin in a high position and barricade in death or some sort of degraded office staff (Definitions of Tragedy). Based on human nature, Aristotles philosophy of tragedy, and current literary criticism of Shakespeares Macbeth, the main character, Macbeth, is classified as a tragic hero.Born in 384 B.C. at Stagirus, thoroughly known philosopher Aristotle was a scholarly person to Plato for over twenty years. Growing up on this Greek village and attending lectures, he acquired and retained new i nformation. His father was a well known physician and scientist therefore Aristotles knowledge was broadened by his father. inappropriate Plato, Aristotle studied the natural and sensory world while Plato apply his reason, Aristotle used his senses (Gaarder 107) He said that things that are in the human soul were stringently reflections of natural objects (Gaarder 107). Aristotle believed that reason is mans most distinguishing characteristic Macbeth had great lack of reason. When the starting time murder occurred, Macbeth did not anticipate the outcomes of the events, thus is soul was infected with egoistical thought, and to him, nothing else mattered. A human soul in Aristotles dustup is the perfect renderion or realization of a natural body, which Macbeth follows (Aristotle). His indispensable instinct led his actions and soon to his main goal. Fellow philosopher Democritus, (460-370 B.C.), believed that all men are just mechanical and made up of different substances (Ga arder 44). If, his principle that there is no spiritual fore in nature, and everything happens mechanically is true, therefore Macbeth could not control his actions thus is innocent of his crimes. To Macbeth, it meant that he was destined to have king, and mechanically could not manage his own actions. This is because Macbeths imagination is plunging deeper and deeper into unreality, and turns into unwieldy desires and wants (Knight 42). These two elements of soul and imagination are able to cause a dreadful combination of tragedy and misfortune. A Shakespearian critic implies that, at a time caught by the devils bait, only at the end he is able to express his inward state openly (Davidson 92).