The Elizabethan View of the Universe

Macbeth

The Elizabethan View of the Universe

Common Sense Universe absolutely ordered No division

Chain of Being All things (including people) ranked by

superiority – hierarchy.

The Elizabethan View of the Universe

continued … Chain of Being continued …

Categories Subdivided Any disruptions of characters were subdivided.

The Hierarchy

God Angels Man Animals Plants Inorganic Matter Chaos

King/Queen, Upper Class

Nobility, Knights, Gentlemen

Middle Class Professions & Trades

Low Class Peasants

The Renaissance and Shakespeare’s

“Macbeth”

Macbeth

TragedyType of drama of human conflict w/tragic heroEnds – defeat & sufferingConflict – forces beyond control of characters (sometimes)Fate Evil in the world

The Tragic Hero

Main character (usually) – engenders admiration & hatredDignified/noble–member-power class by birth, conquest, or usurpation Representative – universal humankindRate = combination of what others do and his/her choicesStrong individualist, sometimes to the point of extremism Isolated

Tragic Hero continued …

IntelligentLearns through suffering (usually too late)Demonstrates personal courage in acceptance – death/annihilation

Possesses a tragic flaw – leads to his/her destructionWeakness of characterWrong judgment

Tragic Hero Summary

People of magnified stature. Suffers a reversal of fortune Recognizes the consequences of actions. Audience moved to pity and/or fear hero. Moved to realize the evil capable in all of

humanity.

The LanguageMacbeth

The Language

Shakespeare uses language to distinguish different status between characters. Class and Depth

Macbeth – Poetry

Blank Verse = unrhymed iambic pentameter

Shows depth of character who is deeply probing/imaginative.

The Language continued …

Lady Macbeth – Poetry (Blank Verse)

Business like Practical Unimaginative

The Language continued …

Porter – Prose – Everyday Language Ordinary, working class character

The Shakespearean Tragedy

5 Acts w/6 Elements Macbeth

The Six Elements of Drama in Macbeth

Character Plot Theme Dialogue Convention Audience

Macbeth Act I – The Exposition

Act IExpositionSettingMain characters

-- their positions circumstances -- relationships to one another

Exciting Force/Complication Begins conflict – continues throughout play

Acts I, II, & IIIThe Rising Action

Acts I, II, III Rising Action Series of events – lead to climax Builds suspense

Act IIIThe Climax

Act III The Climax Turning point of the play Tragic hero moves to his inevitable end

Acts III, IV, & VThe Falling Action

Acts III, IV, V Falling Action Events - Climax-hero’s death Show both advances & declines Various forces acting upon hero

Act VThe Catastrophe

Act V Catastrophe/Exodos/Denouement Necessary consequences – hero’s previous actions Simple & brief 

The Triangle of Events

Act I – Exposition/Background

Act I

I Ri

sing

Actio

n/Co

nflict

Begi

nsAct III – Climax/Point of greatest intensity

Act IV – Falling

Action

Act V – Resolution/Dénouement/Ties up loose ends

Macbeth

NOW ….

Shakespeare’s Macbeth! Act I