Alan George, #7-10, 1/11/19

Aim: How does Macbeth's second encounter with the Witches establish "Macbeth" as a tragedy?

Do Now: Which of the following is not typical of a Aristotelian tragedy?
     a) A tragedy MUST include "Plot, Characters, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, Melody"
     b) The end of the tragedy is a catharsis (purging, cleansing) of the tragic emotions of pity and fear.
     c) The hero, though noble, is flawed (hamartia) to appear relatable.
     d) The conclusion of a tragedy has the hero seeking answers from a greater power. 
     e) The protagonist must face a moment of anagnorisis, when he makes a deep realization.

Explanation: Answer Choice D was the correct answer because in most Aristotelian tragedies, the hero or protagonist usually takes fault for the actions they commit and only reach a point of anagnorsis. Most tragic heroes do not seek answers from a greater power. The other answer choices were incorrect because they are all aspects of an Aristotelian tragic play. In these types of tragedies, they always include a plot, characters, specific diction, meaning, and a rhythmic meter to them. At the end of most Aristotelian tragedies, a catharsis is found where once the climax of the tragedy is reached, where the plot and characters in the tragedy lose their tragic emotions. It is also commonplace for having the hero of the tragedy be a flawed hero, which makes the hero of a tragedy relatable to the audience.

Read ALOUD: (Act IV, scene i)

While we read Act IV, scene i of "Macbeth", we also acted out the scene with a full cast of students. We were able to use different props, such as a drawing of a tree for the Third Apparition and a crown for the First Apparition and Macbeth to act out the scene. 

                                                                               
                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                   


                                                  



                                                                


                                              

                                                                















Questions:
     1) How do the Weird Sitsers prey on Macbeth's psyche?
     2) Why is Macbeth so vulnerable to this interference?
     3) What tragic flaw of Macbeth's is depicted? How does this create a tragedy?

Answers:
     1) The Weird Sisters prey on Macbeth's psyche by frightening Macbeth with apparitions, which tell him of his future. The Weird Sisters use Macbeth's fear and inborn weakness to scare Macbeth of future events that affect him.
   
     2) Macbeth is vulnerable to this interference because he had not known that apparitions would be there to tell him answers to his many questions. He became especailly vulnerable once he saw Banquo and his never-ending line of heirs as his final apparition, as it intensified Macbeth's sense of guilt for murdering Banquo.

     3) Macbeth's tragic flaw is his underlying sense of fear and anxiety that comes from the consequences of his actions. He felt the extent of his fear and anxiety once he saw Banquo and his line of kings. Macbeth's tragic flaw create a tragedy because it signifies the audience of Macbeth's fatal flaw, which could be used against him at the climax of the tragedy.