Tragic+Flaw+Analysis

=Tragic Flaw Analysis=

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Tragic Flaw:

 * "A character trait that that is often, though not necessarily, a character flaw. Tragic flaws range from moral flaws, such as jealousy, to traits normally considered virtues, such as courage".
 * "According to Aristotle's //Poetics//, tragedy involves a protagonist of high estate ('better than we') who falls from prosperity to misery through a series of reversals and discoveries as a result of a 'tragic flaw,' generally an error caused by human frailty".

The Better Tragedy: //Hamlet// or //Macbeth//?
//Hamlet//, the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s tragedies, uses more in-depth and complex character interactions than his others. While Macbeth’s tragic flaw, straightforward ambition, causes his fall through simple good and evil battles; Hamlet, driven by respectable but intricate motives, results in his downfall through unfortunate and complex events. Hamlet can be seen as an honorable man throughout the play despite the fact that his mental insecurities cause destruction around him; his fall ultimately evokes pity in playgoers. On the other hand, while Shakespeare intended to evoke the same pity for the character of Macbeth, his despicable murders often cause the audience to rejoice with his demise. Therefore, //Hamlet// can be considered the better tragedy.

Hamlet (Not Ham): The Indecisive Idiot
Hamlet’s tragic flaw, his mental instability, causes his indecisiveness and prevents him from simply attaining his revenge (which would avert the deaths of multiple characters, including himself). Hamlet is portrayed as insane or pretending to be so at many points throughout the play. It is possible that his instability was a direct result of the death of his father, as Claudius remarks in Act 2, Scene 2, "Something have you heard / Of Hamlet's transformation. So call it, / Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man / Resembles that it was." Hamlet becomes depressed, and spends time contemplating life and suicide. He simply isn't capable of making up his mind to kill Claudius, and is caught in endless internal debate. As Hamlet contemplates the murder over and over again, Claudius sees a problem and attempts to murder Hamlet to protect himself. Hamlet has many chances to kill Claudius, including the moment Claudius is praying, but he is not able to. As Hamlet’s mental state deteriorates, he kills Polonius (in a fit of spontaneity that is completely opposite his previous actions), which in turn drives Ophelia to insanity. This brings Laertes into the situation, and his conspiracy with Claudius causes the deaths of Hamlet, and Gertrude, and Laertes himself. Due to his unstable mind, Hamlet was unable to act swiftly and so brought about the death of several innocent people.

Macbeth: One Really Twisted Dude
Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition. The revelation of fate causes Macbeth to believe he is destined for greatness, and he therefore commits horrible acts to ensure his success. However, not all the blame is his. Lady Macbeth is the trigger for Macbeth’s murderous actions and downfall. He has second thoughts until his wife convinces him to kill King Duncan. After he becomes king, Macbeth becomes frightened of losing power. It is prophesied that Banquo's descendants, not his, would be future kings. He kills Banquo to no avail, as Banquo's son, Fleance, escapes. Among other actions, Banquo's suspicious death sows the seeds of mistrust of the king. Many members of the nobility begin standing up to an increasingly tyrannical Macbeth, and join the exiled pretender Malcolm in England. Macbeth kills the entire Macduff household when Macduff flees to England and he is forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself, causing increased hatred towards him. His enemies then rise up to fight him, and his kingdom falls as he is beheaded by Macduff himself. It was Macbeth's desire for unlimited power and control that caused him to commit these unspeakable acts which resulted in his fall into tyranny and death. In Act 4, Scene 3, Malcolm tells the other nobles that they are just as corruptible as Macbeth and that they must not fall to ambition as he did: "This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues; / Was once thought honest; you have loved him well / He hath not touch'd you yet..."

Now Which One is More Relevant to Today's Society?
//Macbeth// is more relevant to today’s society due to the prevalence of ambition in everyday life. It can be seen everywhere; in school, in politics, and especially in business. Everyone wants power; it is human nature to want to rise to the top. Cheating in school, lying, and even sabotage of others’ work is a daily occurrence. While mental instability is familiar, it is less relatable to the common man. For instance, it is very unlikely that any form of insanity could lead to peoples’ deaths through indecisiveness today. //Hamlet// is an interesting story, but there was too much coincidence to be realistic – too much happens due to chance for such a flaw to be relatable to today’s society. On the other hand, Macbeth’s actions, although maybe not as extreme, are a regular occurrence.

**Picture Sources**

 * 1) http://www.crsdrespect.org/macbeths_head.jpg
 * 2) http://howdoicookthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/how-to-cook-a-ham.jpg
 * 3) http://neilverma.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/gibson+hamlet+yorick.jpg
 * 4) http://theinspiredmedia.com/wp-content/themes/inspiredMedia_theme/images_featuresReviews/Features/RSC_Leap4.jpg
 * 5) http://verydemotivational.com/category/motivated-photos/uploads/2008/7/16/633518362886042719-ambition---the-greatest-evil-which-fortune-can-inflct-on-men---motivational.jpg