Macbeth

How do generic conventions inform your understanding of Macbeth?

The tragedy of Macbeth is his “Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and fallson th’other.”
In this famous play, William Shakespeare positions the audience to feel pity towards the protagonist involved, and potentially the protagonist is the tragic hero. But in the play,
Macbeth, how does he do this? Shakespeare positions us to feel pity for Macbeth, the protagonist, by using generic, dramatic and theatrical conventions such as soliloquies, hamartia and symbolism. My understanding of the play Macbeth, is shaped by
Shakespeare’s use of generic conventions to represent the characters inner turmoil and through this, their tragic flaws. Specifically, …show more content…

He also describes that his death would be showered with, “angels, trumpet-tongued,” Act 1 Scene 7. Angels are a representation of heaven and heaven is symbolised as good which means Duncan will go to heaven if he dies because of his goodness. This reminds us how severe and alarming it is to kill a human being just for power and Macbeth realises this also, this is seen through the use of language, “Bloody instructions” and “our poisoned chalice” and “deep damnation” and through this, an image of darkness is made which makes it clear to us that Macbeth knows what he could do is wrong and if he does it he will be forever in a world of sin. At the same time, the one only reason Macbeth wants to proceed in the deed is his ambition to become powerful, “but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and fallson th’other.” Act
1 Scene 7, line 27. The only thing motivating him is his ambition, however Macbeth knows ambition could lead him on towards disaster, (coincidentally it did) therefore decides not to go along with his wife’s plans. Although after his soliloquy when he admits to Lady Macbeth
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