Use of the Classical Tragic Mold in Shakespeares Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

Macbeth The Use of the unmingled Tragic Mold in Character Development          In Shakespeares tragedy, Macbeth, in that location are many characters. Onlyone character stands out, and his name is in the title of the play.Macbeths character was made in the mold of the ancient Greek tragical wedge heel.Besides being endowed by Shakespeare with an abundance and variety ofpotential traits and characteristics, Macbeth also follows the ClassicalTragic Mold, which is presented with a hefty supply of hubris, and in thiscase, ambition. Because Macbeth follows the Classical Tragic Mold, he is aClassical Tragic Hero.         The first step of the Classical Tragic Mold is recognizing theproblem. The problem in Macbeth is not a uncoiled problem that presents itselfoutwardly. The problem for the character of Macbeth is deciding if heshould listen to his ambition and kill Duncan. At first, he ponders reasonswhy not to kill h is king. He at first thinks that he cannot kill himbecause of four reasons Macbeth is Duncans subject, Duncan is a good king,they are blood-related, and Macbeth is his host. These reasons dissuadeMacbeth at first, but later Lady Macbeth convinces him, by questioning hismanhood, to charge up the dastardly crime. When he finally murders Duncan, theproblem comes to closure. But, even long before then, the next step in themold had begun the descent into the abyss.         The decent into the abyss is the wink step in the ClassicalTragic Mold. It is started with Macbeths second soliloquy. This is afterMacbeth hears from Duncan that Malcolm was to be named the Prince ofCumberland. The Prince of Cumberland That is a step on which I must falldown, or else oerleap, for in my way it lies ... Let not light see myblack and deep desires. (Shakespeare, 281). This quote from the soliloquyindicates that Macbeth has, indeed, told himself that he will commit themurde r of Duncan, although he doesnt very admit it until his wifepressures him to do so. With this decision, the reader (or audience) reads(or sees) that Macbeth is straying from the righteous path, and descendinginto the abyss, even though he is keeping his feelings to himself. Hisdecision to murder Duncan tarnishes his war hero image and casts it in anominous shadow.         The third step in the mold has two parts and is known asTransformation and Transcendence. The character of Macbeth goes intoTransformation during his quaternary soliloquy. ...I have lived long enough.My way of life is falln into the sear... (Shakespeare, 343).