NAME: RUHANI SARAF

CLASS: 11 SECTION: C

ROLL NO: 30

ENGLISH LITERATURE
PROJECT FINAL TERM
2023-24
 TOPIC:

What are the essential features of

Shakespeare's tragic heroes? With reference
to Act 1 and Act 2 of Macbeth, and by giving
suitable examples from the text, explain the
concept of hamartia and how Macbeth is
affected by it.
 INTRODUCTION:

Shakespeare's tragic heroes are characterized by a set of essential features

that contribute to their eventual downfall, and one prominent element
among these is the concept of hamartia. In Act 1 and Act 2 of "Macbeth,"
the titular character, Macbeth, exemplifies the classic traits of a tragic hero
as he embarks on a journey from honor to corruption. Hamartia, often
referred to as a tragic flaw, is a fundamental component of this tragic
trajectory. Hamartia is a fatal error in judgment or a character flaw that
leads to the protagonist's tragic downfall.

In the case of Macbeth, his hamartia is intricately linked to his ambition

and the manipulative influence of external forces, particularly the witches
and Lady Macbeth. His initial virtues, such as bravery and loyalty, gradually
give way to unchecked ambition and a growing susceptibility to the dark
prophecies foretold by the witches. The fatal flaw, evident in Macbeth's
unchecked ambition, becomes the driving force behind his tragic choices
and actions.

This essay will delve into the essential features of Shakespearean tragic
heroes, exploring the concept of hamartia with specific reference to
Macbeth's character in Acts 1 and 2 of the play. By examining key examples
from the text, we will unravel the unfolding tragedy of Macbeth as he
succumbs to his fatal flaw, ultimately leading to his downfall. The
exploration of Macbeth's hamartia is crucial for understanding the intricate
layers of his character and the inexorable path towards tragedy set in
motion by his fatal flaw.
MINDSET OF MACBETH AND
LADY MACBETH:

In Act 1, Macbeth begins as a valiant and loyal soldier, but his mindset
undergoes a transformation after encountering the three witches. The
witches' prophecies spark the flame of ambition within him, and he
becomes consumed by the idea of becoming king. Initially, he is torn
between his loyalty to King Duncan and his newfound desire for power.
Macbeth's internal struggle is evident in his soliloquies, where he
contemplates the consequences of pursuing the throne. Lady Macbeth, in
Act 1, is depicted as a strong and manipulative character who is determined
to see her husband crowned king. Her mindset is characterized by a
ruthless ambition and a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve their
goals. She challenges Macbeth's masculinity and encourages him to act
decisively, even if it means committing murder. After the murder of
Duncan in Act 2, Macbeth's mindset is dominated by guilt and paranoia.
The act of regicide haunts him, and he is tormented by hallucinations and a
growing sense of unease. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, initially appears
resolute and pragmatic, but her own conscience begins to trouble her as
well.

Example: In Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth reflects on the gravity of his actions

and the irreversibility of his crime: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash
this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The
multitudinous seas in incarnadine, / Making the green one red." By the end
of Act 2, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are grappling with the
psychological toll of their ambitions and the consequences of their actions.
Their initial determination gives way to inner turmoil and a sense of
foreboding as the play delves deeper into the consequences of unchecked
ambition and moral transgressions.
WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF
HAMARTIA AND HOW IS
MACBETH AFFECTED BY IT?

In "Macbeth," the concept of hamartia, or tragic flaw, is a central element in

understanding the downfall of the main character, Macbeth. Hamartia
refers to a character's error in judgment or inherent flaw that leads to their
tragic downfall. In Macbeth's case, his hamartia is his unchecked ambition
and the moral deterioration that accompanies it. Macbeth's hamartia is
evident when he starts entertaining the thought of murdering King Duncan
to fulfill the witches' prophecy. In Act 1, Scene 3, he says, "My thought,
whose murder yet is but fantastical, / Shakes so my single state of man that
function / Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is / But what is not."

In Act 2, Macbeth's hamartia becomes more pronounced as he succumbs to

the manipulative influence of Lady Macbeth and carries out the murder of
King Duncan. His ambition blinds him to the moral consequences of his
actions, and guilt begins to eat away at his conscience. The murder sets in
motion a series of events that will lead to Macbeth's tragic downfall.
 Here are a few examples of
Macbeth's tragic hero
qualities?

The concept of hamartia, often referred to as a tragic flaw, is a key element

in classical Greek tragedy and is applicable to certain Shakespearean plays,
including "Macbeth." Hamartia is a character's tragic flaw or error in
judgment that leads to their downfall. In the case of Macbeth, his hamartia
is his unchecked ambition and the willingness to pursue it at any cost.

Act 1: In the beginning, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave and loyal soldier

who fights valiantly for King Duncan. However, the seed of his hamartia is
planted when he encounters the three witches who prophesy his rise to
power. The witches' predictions ignite Macbeth's ambition and create a
desire for power that he hadn't previously considered. This ambition
becomes the driving force behind his actions.

Example: In Act 1, Scene 3, after the witches hail Macbeth as Thane of

Cawdor and future king, he becomes intrigued by the idea of his own ascent
to the throne:

"If you can look into the seeds of time, / And say which grain will grow and
which will not, / Speak them to me, who neither beg nor fear/Your favors
nor your hate."
 Act 2: Macbeth's hamartia becomes more evident in Act 2 as he wrestles
with his inner thoughts and the moral implications of his actions. His
ambition, combined with Lady Macbeth's persuasion, leads him to commit
regicide by murdering King Duncan. This act marks a significant turning
point in the play and solidifies Macbeth's descent into tragic circumstances.

Example: In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth soliloquizes about the dagger he sees

before him, leading him to Duncan's chamber. This soliloquy reveals the
inner conflict and the consequences of his ambition:

"Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand?
Come, let me clutch thee. / I have thee not, and yet I see thee still."

In summary, Macbeth's hamartia of unchecked ambition, triggered by the

witches' prophecies and fueled by Lady Macbeth's influence, sets in motion
a series of events that lead to his tragic downfall. As the play progresses,
Macbeth's ambition blinds him to moral considerations, ultimately
resulting in a path of destruction and his own demise.
 CONCLUSION:

In Acts 1 and 2 of "Macbeth," the narrative unfolds with the introduction. of

key characters and the establishment of themes that will shape the tragic
trajectory of the play. Act I sets the stage with the encounter between
Macbeth and the three witches, planting the seeds of ambition that will
become his tragic flaw. Act 2, in turn, witnesses the manifestation of
Macbeth's unchecked ambition as he succumbs to the temptation of
regicide. These acts lay the foundation for the psychological and moral
deterioration of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Act 1 serves as a prologue to the unfolding tragedy, introducing the

characters and the supernatural elements that will drive the plot. The
witches' prophecies ignite Macbeth's ambition, presenting a glimpse into
his fatal flaw. The juxtaposition of his loyalty to King Duncan and the
burgeoning desire for power sets the stage for the internal conflict that will
define Macbeth's character.

Act 2 marks a crucial turning point as Macbeth's hamartia takes center

stage. Fueled by his wife's manipulation and his own ambition, Macbeth
commits regicide, leading to a cascade of consequences. The murder of
Duncan becomes a catalyst for guilt and paranoia, initiating a descent into
moral decay for both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

In conclusion, Acts 1 and 2 of "Macbeth" lay the groundwork for the tragic
events to come. The audience witnesses the birth of Macbeth's hamartia-his
unchecked ambition-and the consequential actions that propel the
characters toward their inevitable downfall. The moral dilemmas and
internal struggles introduced in these acts foreshadow the psychological
turmoil that will intensify in the subsequent acts, ultimately leading to the
tragic conclusion of the play.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY:
I used the help of my school textbook "MACBETH” and gathered
information from macbeth.com.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to express my special gratitude to my English Literature

teacher ma'am D. Sarkar for her able guidance and support to help me
complete this project within the given time frame.