Why Is Stock Character Important In Macbeth

According to William Shakespeare,"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." This quote perfectly describes a fall from grace by explaining how we don't know how we will act in the future. Many tragedies contain the concept of a fall because you can only hold so much on your plate before you begin to drop it. This is a very common appearance in Shakespeare's writing. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses theme, stock characters and tone to create a well rounded story which when combined with specific details allows the audience to experience sorrow and death and ultimately consider what creates a powerful tragedy.
First, in any good tragedy the main character must have some type of hamartia. In Macbeth's case he is overcome by a constant guilt

and an abundance of ambition. For example we see him doubt himself when feeling the need to kill Banquo due to the fact that he felt threatened that his family line was going to have heirs to the throne and not his own. We soon see that when he obtains this power that the "shoes are too big for him to fit into."Although some might consider Macbeth to be some type of monster he shows traits of a tragic hero who was overcome by the mental consequences of murder. In Act I we see him as a loyal , brave warrior. But by the end of the play is overcome by guilt and a rule of madness.
Second, stock characters are an important component in Shakespearean tragedies as they provide background information on the main characters and setting.

They allow us to see how the protagonist and antagonist act around other people. One of the most influential characters is the appearance of the Three Witches. Although they are three separate people they act as one. We first see them use their foreshadowing and fate aspects in in Act II Scene III. "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Cawdor!" This is the first of three prophecies. Although the audience already knows that Macbeth is now the thane of Cawdor he has yet to hear of this news until later in the scene. They contribute to the plot by almost encouraging Macbeth to kill King Duncan so that he may become more powerful. If King Duncan had never been killed then there is a good chance Macbeth wouldn't of let power corrupt him as much as it did. Another important character is that of Banquo. His characterization doesn't come to true light until he has died. Although he also has ambitious thoughts he chooses to not act upon them like Macbeth did and therefore he acts as a compare and contrast figure. Although he is brutally murdered in Act III Scene III he reappears in Scene IV. Although his ghost never speaks he is able to haunt Macbeth by the constant reminder that he betrayed their loyalty and make him feel

guilty.
Tone is often described as the overall attitude and mood of the story. However keep in mind it depends on a number of thing including the audience, occasion and the speaker.