Compare Contrast Macbeth Othello and King Lear

A detailed Summary of Compare Contrast Macbeth Othello and King Lear

Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear are three prominent Jacobean tragedies that William Shakespeare created with notable tragic protagonists. According to Aristotle a tragic protagonist is a nobleman or person from high honor who contributes to his own degeneration and illustrates a flaw or weakness in judgment. Finally, the tragic protagonist must make a fall from a high state of being to a low state or death. These characteristics being easily compared and contrasted can show how Shakespeare carefully fulfilled Aristotle's norms for a tragic hero in the above mentioned plays.

The play Macbeth is an excellent work that follows Aristotle's norms closely. Macbeth is a brave warrior in King Duncan's Army who compromises his honor and neglects his moral responsibilities in the attainment of power and position which results in his tragic end.

Macbeth is a man who killed Macdonwald to prove his courage and valor to King Duncan and Scotland. This also strengthens his ambition to become King. After being seduced by the witch's prophecies, Macbeth yields to his ambitions, leaving murdered bodies in his path, and his moralities behind to attain the kingship

Macbeth's tragic flaw, which resulted in his death, was poor decision making. Because of Macbeth's lust for power, he is constantly acting without thinking first. He does not care how the choices he makes will affect others, as long as Macbeth gets what he wants.

Another tragedy by William Shakespeare which also adheres to Aristotle's norms for a tragic protagonist is Othello. The title character, Othello, is shown as a hero of war and a man of great pride and courage, with a trusting nature. As the play continues Othello turns from a flawless military leader to a murder. Othello not being observant to the cunning, untrustworthy, selfish and always plotting ways of Iago, allowed the scared matrimony and love shared between himself and Desdemona to be destroyed.

Macbeth fulfills all Aristotle's expectations for a tragic protagonist. Macbeth had the potential for greatness, but his greed and lust for power undercut them. With all of Aristotle's elements of a tragic protagonist fulfilled, the audience or readers will feel for the character of Macbeth; enrage over Lady Macbeth's scheming, King Duncan, Banquo and MacDuff's family innocent deaths.

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Approximate Word count = 780
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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