Tragic Hero

Tragic Hero: Often the main character in a tragedy. Usually male, this person is a noble and great person, aside from a fatal flaw or sinister force on the inside or outside that will be his downfall, which greatly contrasts his previous, happier position. The downfall should make the audience be in awe of how far the hero has fallen, and feel pity for him.  The tragic hero is usually high-ranking member of the military and/or a nobleman.

Root: A similar word, hamartia, is described as a hero’s fatal flaw. This word was defined by Aristotle in his works Poetics. This is a work of dramatic theory, and talks about comedies, tragedies and lyric poetry.

How it applies to Macbeth: In the play Macbeth, Macbeth would be the tragic hero. His fatal flaw is ambition, or, to be specific his greed for the crown. Macbeth is also largely influenced by the witches’ prophecy and his wife persuading him to kill King Duncan. He is also a military commander and a thane (noble).

- LK, VF, and MC


Sources:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/601884/tragedy/51117/Shakespeares-tragic-art

http://www.field-of-themes.com/shakespeare/essays/Emacbeth3.htm

http://shakespeare.nuvvo.com/lesson/4435-elements-of-a-tragic-hero-in-literature

http://www.walkinginthefog.net/files/TragicStructureInMacbeth2.ppt

Women - In the real Macbeth's time and in Shakespeare's day

General Information on women during the Elizabethan period (MC):

-Women were expected to be housewives and mothers.

-Childbearing was seen as a great honor and a gift from god.

-Women were regarded as the "weaker sex" physically and emotionally.

Source: www.elizabethi.org/us/women

Married Women (VF):

-Married women were supposed to bring a dowry to the wedding

-this would include goods, money and the woman's property after the marraige

-Women could marry at 12

Source: www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-women.htm

Women's Education (LK):

- In the Elizabethan times, although noble girls were educated by tutors, they did not go to university.

- Music and dancing were essential skills for noblewomen.

- Common women were only trained to be good wives (e.g. cook, manage the household).

- They would not have attended school or received any other type of formal education.

Source: www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-women.htm