Macbeth And Oedipus Comparison

441 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Comparison of oedipus and macbeth

A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his own destruction. Aristotle once said that "A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” A tragic hero must possess specific characteristics. Both Macbeth and Oedipus share characteristics that categorize them as a tragic hero. Macbeth was a noble and great man who held a high status position as a war hero. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is victorious in the battlefield. Duncan says, “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” showing how much the warriors praise him. King Duncan hears about Macbeth’s bravery and awards Macbeth the title Thane of Cawdor. Although it seemed like Macbeth had everything going for him,

Show More
Related

  • Characteristics Of Mccandless As A Tragic Hero

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    A tragic hero is an individual who possesses a fatal flaw in their character that will bring about their own destruction or suffering. Aristotle believed that “A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. (Aristotle #1)” This Ancient Greek philosopher also believed that each tragic hero has four characteristics. The first of these characteristics is that a tragic hero is born with either wisdom or high integrity, and in some cases both.

    Read More

  • John Proctor Tragic Hero Quotes

    263 Words  | 1 Pages

    What is a tragic hero? A tragic hero is typically defined as a character in a literary work who has a lot of pride and makes a judgment error that leads to their ultimate demise. The downfall usually has to do with their pride.

    Read More

  • Gladiator Tragic Hero Essay

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    When it comes to being a tragic hero the character has to have the qualities of being a tragic hero. A tragic hero is where the main character of a tragedy whose fatal flaw leads to his or her destruction. Either the character was born into society as a great man or a slave, they may have carry

    Read More

  • Maximus As A Tragic Hero

    737 Words  | 2 Pages

    A tragic hero is defined as a hero who makes a judgement error and it inevitably leads to his or her death as defined by aristotle. Aristotle is one of the most famous philosophers of ancient Greece. He had guidelines for the best tragedies and what has to be involved in the characteristics of a tragic hero. There were five non-negotiable traits that to be in a part of the tragic hero. 1.)They had to either be of noble or royal birth or had to have wisdom. 2.)They had to have hamartia which is a tragic or fatal flaw. Most tragic heroes died, few rarely survived. 3.)They must have a reversal of fortune brought about the heroes main error which causes them to die. 4.) The hero has to have anagnorisis or an epiphany, which is when the hero

    Read More

  • Macbeth Tragic Hero Quotes

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    A tragic hero is a person of noble birth or potentially heroic qualities. The role of a tragic hero is common in many of Shakespeare's plays such as Macbeth. The character of Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. A tragic hero often has a noble background. This person is predominantly good, but suffers a terrible fate falling out due to glitches in their personality. The tragic hero has a monstrous downfall, brought out by their fatal flaw. Macbeth is named a tragic hero because he learns through suffering, he is isolated, and he exhibits personal courage in his acceptance of death.

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby Tragic Hero Quotes

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    A tragic hero can be defined as literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. A well known novel in American Literature is The Great Gatsby which displays an example of a tragic hero. The author of the book, F. Scott Fitzgerald, portrayed an example of a tragic hero through the main character of the novel named Jay Gatsby. In the book Gatsby tries to accomplish the American Dream by gaining wealth and doing everything in his power to be with the love his life Daisy Buchanan. His whimsical ways granted him wealth and allowed him to be in the arms of his lover Daisy but, it also leads him to death. Jay Gatsby can be considered a tragic hero because he has a tragic flaw and because his misfortune was not wholly deserved.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Literary Critic Essay

    803 Words  | 2 Pages

    The definition of a tragic hero, as stated on dictionary.com, is a literary character that makes an error in judgment that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy. It has been argued for years whether Macbeth from Shakespeare’s, The Tragedy of Macbeth, can truly be considered a tragic hero or whether he is solely a villainous tyrant. Although there are some valid arguments for the Macbeth is pure evil viewpoint, by looking at Macbeth in a holistic way you can see the tragic, the heroic, and the tragic hero within him. Macbeth is a tragic hero in every sense of the definition.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Macbeth And Oedipus The King

    720 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Brothers Karamazov Fyodor Dostoevsky said, “…fear is simply the consequence of every lie.” Dostoevsky is stating how people are afraid of what will happen when their lie(s) is/are put out in the open. Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined. This line suggests that people are afraid of the truth, which inevitably is the consequence of every lie. Even though this quote was written by a 19th century author it can still relate to texts that were made centuries prior. Both Sophocles and Shakespeare’s plays support Dostoevky because both plays deal with the act of lying and its consequences as a major motif.

    Read More

  • Epic of Beowulf Essay - Beowulf as Tragic Hero

    1434 Words  | 3 Pages

    By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist that due to some tragic flaw loses everything he has. Throughout history, literature has always been filled with main characters possessing some tragic flaw. In Macbeth, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his enormous ambition to become king. In Hamlet, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his need for revenge for the death of his father at the hands of his uncle. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s tragic flaw is his need to be remembered. In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, Beowulf also has a tragic flaw, excessive pride and the search for fame, which ultimately leads to his demise.

    Read More

  • Essay Comparing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Well he deserves that name)/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandish steel/. (1.2.17) The rest of the scene consists of other recounts of Macbeth’s success; the thane of Ross informs the king that Macbeth has successfully suppressed the joint efforts of the thane of Cawdor, and the king of Norway. Furthermore, in this scene the king announces that Macbeth is to be promoted as the new thane of Cawdor. In this scene, Macbeth is portrayed as a mighty, patriotic, warrior and a loyal subject to the king. However, as the play progresses, Macbeth deviates from these traits. Macbeth’s encounter with the three witches confuses him.

    Read More

  • King Parpus: A Tragic Hero In Oedipus The King

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    A tragic hero is one with a supreme pride, yet has an unfaltering sense of commitment and is a good man overall. A tragic hero has the capacity to suffer and, because of an error in judgment, will experience a dramatic transformation that evokes a profound pity. This is a tragic hero and based on this conception, Oedipus is an evident

    Read More

  • Macbeth and Manhood

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth depicts the virtue of loyalty to King Duncan notably, as he is honored with the title “Thane of Cawdor.” Macbeth displays his fortitude by risking his life in the capture of the traitor, McDonwald, for King Duncan’s protection. “For Brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel...

    Read More

  • Essay on Oedipus the King and Macbeth

    643 Words  | 2 Pages

    Who would have thought that being a king would be so difficult? Oedipus and Macbeth are both kings that seem to have a lot of trouble staying king. The similarities do not stop there. Macbeth and Oedipus are similar in a variety of ways. The interesting thing is that they are also very different but still suffer the same fate. These similarities and differences teach us a valuable lesson about power.

    Read More

  • Oedipus And Macbeth Comparison Essay

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Oedipus” and “Macbeth” both tragic plays written by the famous Sophocles (Oedipus) and Shakespeare (Macbeth), even though they are from vastly different times, they share one common factor, fate. However, both plays have a contrasting factor, in that Shakespeare’s protagonist ruins his life by trying to reach his prospect and follow fate; alternatively, Sophocles illustrates a man whose life is ruined as he tries to escape his fate.

    Read More

  • Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw

    517 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play, Macbeth possesses many strengths such as honor, respect, and he was viewed as being courageous. Macbeth was given the title “Thane of Cawdor " because he used his strengths to his advantage and was recognized for them. “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name--Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valour's minion carv'd out his passage, Till he fac'd the slave" (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 16-20). This is the king speaking highly of Macbeth and the qualities he has and praising him for them. The one major event that changes Macbeth forever is when he murders Banquo. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth slowly lo...

    Read More

More about Macbeth And Oedipus Comparison

Open Document