17. Examine Aristotle’s theory of tragedy in light of this play. In what ways does the theory fit, and in what ways does the theory not fit? The play, Macbeth, in some ways follows Aristotle’s theory of a tragedy, while in other ways it goes it’s own route.. Aristotle states that tragic heroes possess four main qualities such as goodness, superiority, a tragic flaw, and a tragic realization. He also believed that tragedies arouse pity and fear in the audience, which feels sorry for the characters and hates to see them suffer so that they may identify with the play more so themselves. They identify with the characters and realize the situation could be their own. Tragedies arouse an emotional purging called catharsis. Macbeth, however, was not the greatest person in any way. This is a reason as to why Macbeth would not qualify as a tragedy in
Aristotle’s eyes. Due to the fact that Macbeth is overtaken by greed and the will for power, that he murders multiple people, he is not someone with an extreme amount of goodness in his heart. When
Macbeth murdered the present King, Duncan, he approached his wife as saying. “I have done the deed.
Didst thou not hear a noise?” (Act II, Scene II). He acts as if murdering the King was nothing at first.
Almost happy, due to the fact this places him on the throne after killing Duncan, and framing the guards, leaving his title of Thane of Glamis. Banquo reflected back on Macbeth’s rise to King by pondering the fact that, “Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all.” (Act III, Scene I). Macbeth had contained multiple crowns with royalty of Scotland and other countries. This is the superiority that he possesses. Aristotle states that in a tragedy, the tragic hero must have a sort of superiority. Macbeth had acquired the highest rank of superiority that could be accessed.