Composed in late 1606 or early 1607, Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, the others being Hamlet, King Lear and Othello. It is a relatively short play without a major sub-plot, and it is considered by many scholars to be Shakespeare's darkest work. In Macbeth, Shakespeare adds a supernatural dimension that conspires against Macbeth and his kingdom. On the level of human evil, Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy is about Macbeth's bloody rise to power, spiritual evil, and the powers of darkness.
The Tragedy Play:
Definition: Plot moves toward an unhappy ending and implies an unhappy human experience.
Characteristics:
1. Contains many deaths, often at the hands of the tragic figure.
2. Focuses on the failure, waste, and self-destruction of man.
The Tragic Hero:
1. The hero's talents lead to his destruction.
2. Hero fights against society or fate. In Macbeth's case, he attempts to fight against fate.
3. Creates both admiration and distain for tragic protagonist.
The Tragic Flaw:
1. The flaw is the "error in action" rather than the weakness of character.
2. This tragic flaw leads to the character's death.