Genre Theory in Macbeth Through the genre of tragedy, Shakespeare exemplifies the social, moral, and psychological destruction that can occur to someone blinded by ambition.

Genre in Shakespeare ’ s Macbeth What are the possible genres evident? Tragedy (V.iii.20) Satire (Zoffany) Melodrama (Fuseli) Christian (IV.iii.55) (V. viii. 13-16) Fantastic (supernatural, nature) Historical ( Holinshed Chronicles ) Detective (ignorant to knowledge, guilt)

What are the possible genres evident?

Tragedy (V.iii.20)

Satire (Zoffany)

Melodrama (Fuseli)

Christian (IV.iii.55) (V. viii. 13-16)

Fantastic (supernatural, nature)

Historical ( Holinshed Chronicles )

Detective (ignorant to knowledge, guilt)

Johann Zoffany: Macbeth, (1768)

Henry Fuseli: Lady Macbeth Seizing Daggers, (1812)

Elizabethan Era Tragedy Elements Tragedies demonstrate ‘ the fragile and perhaps illusory nature of those social institutions which we like to believe in at those moments when we feel we need an ordered and morally significant community. ’ – Glen Shaw Use of dark images and symbols, supernatural events Tragic hero: slowly destroys what they love due to poor choices (Duncan) Focus on innocence and guilt of the characters Supernatural elements (ghosts, apparitions, animals, witches) Encouragement in the evil deed (Lady Macbeth defies the female norm) Macbeth follows a different path than other tragic heroes, he seems to not be interested in repentance – he becomes so hardened he simply doesn ’ t care about life anymore.

Tragedies demonstrate ‘ the fragile and perhaps illusory nature of those social institutions which we like to believe in at those moments when we feel we need an ordered and morally significant community. ’ – Glen Shaw

Use of dark images and symbols, supernatural events

Tragic hero: slowly destroys what they love due to poor choices (Duncan)

Focus on innocence and guilt of the characters

Supernatural elements (ghosts, apparitions, animals, witches)

Encouragement in the evil deed (Lady Macbeth defies the female norm)

Macbeth follows a different path than other tragic heroes, he seems to not be interested in repentance – he becomes so hardened he simply doesn ’ t care about life anymore.

How does the genre of a tragedy contribute to this play? “ Macbeth is in many ways Shakespeare ’ s most maturest and most daring experiment in tragedy, for in this play he set himself to describe the operation of evil in all it ’ s manifestations: to define its very nature, to depict its seduction of man, and to show its effect on all the planes of creation once it has been released by one man ’ s sinful moral choice. ” – Irving Ribner A tragedy allows for the audience to experience ‘ pity and fear as they watch the characters through stages progress from happiness to misery. ’ – Julian Markels The genre of the tragedy allows for greater character development for Macbeth, showing the consequences that can ensue when ambition or alterterior motives brings a man to break a moral law, hurting themselves and everyone around them as well.

“ Macbeth is in many ways Shakespeare ’ s most maturest and most daring experiment in tragedy, for in this play he set himself to describe the operation of evil in all it ’ s manifestations: to define its very nature, to depict its seduction of man, and to show its effect on all the planes of creation once it has been released by one man ’ s sinful moral choice. ” – Irving Ribner

A tragedy allows for the audience to experience ‘ pity and fear as they watch the characters through stages progress from happiness to misery. ’ – Julian Markels

The genre of the tragedy allows for greater character development for Macbeth, showing the consequences that can ensue when ambition or alterterior motives brings a man to break a moral law, hurting themselves and everyone around them as well.