Reflection on the Quote

“Shakespeare’s use of tragedy is different from the classical; what makes him care about his tragic characters is not that they are good, as Greek protagonists fundamentally are, but that they might have been.” - John Vyvan, The Shakespearean Ethic (1959)

A classic tragedy is all about the rise and fall of a protagonist and it typically ends up with a compelling event, such as the death of a main character. However, Macbeth is a way different from the common tragic play. Shakespeare makes the audience feel sympathy for Macbeth at the beginning of the play because he seems to be changed into an evil character by ‘external factors’ – Lady Macbeth and three Witches. He is so opened to the surroundings and is agitated by Witches' prophecies. Knowing that he is going to be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland, his ambition leads himself to think of terrible deeds to king Duncan in order to seize power. However, as the play proceeds Macbeth is no longer influenced by others. When getting another prophecies from witches, he makes a decision by himself and plots the murder of Macduff to keep his reign. He is being blind with the kingship and does everything without a sense of guilt.