Lecture - Shakespeare's Tragic Hero

Summary

The lesson focuses on the concept of a tragic hero, tracing the history of tragedy from ancient Greek theater to Shakespearean plays. It highlights how Aristotle defined tragedy and contrasts classical tragedies with those of medieval and Renaissance periods. The discussion centers on Macbeth as a Shakespearean tragedy, analyzing the role of the tragic hero's flaws, external forces like the witches and Lady Macbeth, and their impact on his downfall. The lesson explores key tragic elements, including Macbeth's ambition and manipulability, leading to his ultimate demise.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson focuses on understanding the concept of a tragic hero through theoretical examples and its application to Macbeth.
• 🏛️ The origins of tragedy as a genre date back to ancient Greek theater, with Aristotle's analysis being pivotal in defining it.
• 😔 Greek and Roman tragedies were extremely dark, unlike Renaissance tragedies that featured lighter moments like the character of the porter in Macbeth.
• ✝️ In the medieval period, tragedies were often tied to religious morality, with characters' downfalls linked to sin or going against God.
• 🎭 Renaissance tragedies marked a shift toward humanism, moving away from religious control and drawing heavily from Greek and Roman influences.
• 📖 A.C. Bradley's book on Shakespearean tragedy, published in 1904, is a key academic resource on the topic.
• 🔄 Tragic plays typically follow a structure: exposition, conflict establishment, development, and ultimately a catastrophic downfall.
• 💔 A tragedy requires the hero's downfall to occur, without which it becomes a comedy.
• 🧠 The tragic flaw is not solely caused by external factors; the hero’s own flaws are central to their downfall.
• 😵 Macbeth's flaws, including his ambition and susceptibility to manipulation (by the witches and Lady Macbeth), contribute to his tragic demise.

Q & A

What is the main focus of today's lesson according to the speaker?

The main focus is to explore the concept of a tragic hero using theoretical examples and to link those characteristics to the study of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth.'

How does the speaker describe the origin of the tragedy as a genre?

The speaker mentions that the tragedy genre originated in ancient Greek theater, where Aristotle analyzed the works of tragic playwrights in his treatise on tragedy.

How does classical tragedy differ from medieval tragedy according to the speaker?

Classical tragedy was focused on dire, tragic events, while medieval tragedy was more connected to religion, with tragic events often being consequences of sin or going against God.

What significant shift in tragedy occurred during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, tragedy shifted away from religious influences and focused more on the importance of the human experience, rebelling against the church’s dominance and drawing inspiration from Greek and Roman tragedies.

Who is AC Bradley, and why is he important in this lesson?

AC Bradley is a renowned academic known for his analysis of Shakespearean tragedy. His work is a key focus of the lesson, particularly regarding the structure and characteristics of Shakespearean tragic heroes.

What are the key stages of a Shakespearean tragedy as described by AC Bradley?

The key stages include the exposition (setting the context), the establishment and development of conflict, and the catastrophe, which leads to the downfall of the tragic hero.

What is the role of the tragic hero's flaw in their downfall?

The tragic hero's downfall is not solely due to external factors but also results from their own internal flaws, making them responsible for their demise.

What is the significance of Macbeth’s ambition in his downfall?

Macbeth’s ambition is one of his key flaws, which, along with his susceptibility to manipulation by others (like the witches and Lady Macbeth), contributes to his tragic downfall.

How does Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth's actions?

Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by playing on his insecurities, particularly regarding his gender, which pushes him to follow through with actions that lead to his downfall.

What external forces contribute to Macbeth's downfall?

The witches and their prophecies, along with Lady Macbeth’s manipulation, are significant external forces that contribute to Macbeth’s eventual demise.