Where are the Complication, Climax, and Denouement

How is the plot arranged?  Explain your reasons for choosing these places.

Aristotle says that the plot is “the soul of a tragedy.' First, we meet our characters and get to know them a little. We find ourselves in the High Middle Ages, in Scotland. The plot is arranged in a way that shows us life of the main character, the decisions he makes, etc. It all revolves around him. The complication comes when Macbeth decides to fulfil the prophecy and kills the king. After this, there’s no turning back. The climax is the turning point of the play. In my opinion, it happens in the third scene of the third act, when Fleance escapes. It means that Macbeth didn’t succeed in the end. He’s not going to be the ruler. His wife dies, He loses his mind, and we can tell that it’s not going to be the happy ending for him. The denouement is Macbeth’s death. It puts a period to his life and his story. Now it’s all in the past.

Examine the characters in Macbeth. Name the protagonist, and explain your answer. Name the principal antagonist, and explain your answer.

Macbeth is definitely the protagonist. The whole plot revolves around him. This is his story. As in any tragedy, a protagonist should always have an antagonist. I think Macbeth’s principle antagonist was Macbeth himself. He ruined his own life, he was his own enemy. Of course, anyone who was against Macbeth in any way can be counted as the antagonist. And the main one among others was Macduff. He opposes Macbeth and in the end, he’s the one that kills him.

What is Macbeth’s nemesis, or fatal flaw? Name and explain two examples of his hubris (pride or excessive self-confidence) in the play.

His fatal flaw is that he loses everything. His wife, his kingdom, his peace, his life. He was sure he cannot be killed, because the witches prophesied that “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. As we know, Macduff wasn’t born naturally, so this prophecy didn’t apply to him. Of course, Macbeth didn’t know about this. He also thought that he can easily become a king by murdering Duncan without any consequences.

Explain three major thoughts or themes of the play. How does the reading of Macbeth encourage virtue in the audience member?

The first thing that came to my mind was conscience or guilt. We can see it being one of the main themes throughout the play. You cannot escape it. Especially if you live a life similar to the Macbeth’s. You lose your peace, you’re always scared, you can’t trust anyone because you can’t really trust yourself. After killing Duncan Macbeth says that he will never sleep again and kept seeing his blood-stained hands. After killing Banquo, he sees him as a ghost. In the end, we see what it leads to. Macbeth practically lost his mind. Another theme would probably be ambition and courage. Although the way Macbeth pursues his dreams and goals is not at all noble or virtuous, we can say that he was very ambitious and courageous.

When Macbeth doubts his decision to kill Duncan Lady Macbeth’ asks: “Are you a man?” and he replies: “Ay, and a brave one.” He really did whatever it took to make the prophecies come true. Third one would be false appearances. Again, an example of withes’ promises that no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth. Such promises make Macbeth think that he’s invincible, which isn’t true. I think that this story teaches us a lot. Seeing a bad example encourages virtue in the audience. I personally realized that I’m my own agent. And I need to make my own decisions and be true to myself. Macbeth’s story shows us one way things could go after he heard the prophecy and talked to his wife. But the story could’ve gone in a complete opposite direction if he chose it to be so. We are the ones that make these choices. I feel like whenever I do the right thing, I’m always rewarded. I get what I want, I’m happy. Perhaps Macbeth could have achieved everything and more if he chose a better way instead.

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