The Role Of Comic Relief In Shakespeare's Macbeth

In all genres of literature, there are numerous character types one might encounter. Some bring humor or comic relief to a more serious plot, while others bring both pity and fear to the minds of the audience. A tragic character is one who shows characteristics above normality, while simultaneously giving evidence to the audience concerning his or her tragic flaw that causes the character’s life to end in an abnormal state of events. “A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.” (George Orwell, Columbia Dictionary of Quotations) In a tragedy the main character rises to greatness, then continues to fall down a shame spiral, which leads to his

Macbeth fights bravely on Scotland's side, killing Macdonwald himself. King Duncan hears of Macbeth's brave and noble qualities, crowning him the new Thane of Cawdor. The king states that the old Thane should not device, "... Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth." (I ii 63-65) Macbeth is hostile to accept the rank, because earlier three witches prophesied that the new hero would become Thane of Cawdor even though there was one at that time. Since Macbeth was crowned Thane of Cawdor, Banquo and Macbeth believe that the three weird sisters are able to correctly tell them their fate. Macbeth now having higher-ranking authority begins to have his ambition act up on him; thus, he craves more power. Lady Macbeth organizes King Duncan’s murder, which increased Macbeth's will to become king, enabling the overzealous ruler to rise up to the ultimate height. The murder is carried out, but not as planned, driving Macbeth to kill the king himself. Macbeth states to everyone after the discovery of the dead king, "Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. Th’ expedition of my violent love..." (II iii 111-112) This is only done to destroy the thoughts that may have targeted Macbeth as one who is characterized by a drive to kill the

The devilish creature speaks the most disillusioned in the play when he contemplates life’s “…petty pace from day to day.” (5.5.20) Macbeth still believed that the witches’ promises would protect him, but when he heard that “The wood began to move” (V v 33) his confidence is shaken as he begins to doubt the equivocation of the fiend that lies like the truth, the devil’s oracles. Although the indifference invading Macbeth shows itself early in the play, the true extent of Macbeth’s lack of respect for Elizabethan values occurs when this monster orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and child. Even Macduff, who understands the danger that inundates his life in Scotland, does not feel a large enough threat for him to take his family and servants with him on his flee to England. “He has no children. All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens, and their dam, At one fell swoop?”(IV iii 216-219) Macduff, as well as the audience, can hardly believe such inhumane acts can be committed by a man, no matter how disturbed or evil he can be. The murder of Macduff’s family is the nail in Macbeth’s coffin, bringing such terrible thoughts upon himself by the audience, that under no circumstances will there be a possibility that Macbeth can ever be marked out for good