Why Is “Macbeth” Considered a Tragedy?
“Macbeth” is considered a tragedy because of the dark themes that the Shakespearean play explores. Greed, lies, betrayal and murder all occur in the story and serve to tear a family, and consequently an entire kingdom, apart. Although the title of the play refers to the Scottish general Macbeth, the character of Lady Macbeth is widely considered the most-memorable and tragic figure in the story.
One of the most-famous quotes from the Macbeth is “Out, out, damned spot!” This line refers to blood that Lady Macbeth imagines seeing on her clothing. She utters these words after she begins sleepwalking in response to her guilt about the horrible deeds that she has committed.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays explore tragic themes. “Macbeth” is one of the most well-known examples of Shakespeare’s fascination with royal scandal and family feuds. Other famous Shakespearean tragedies include “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” “Hamlet” and “King Lear.”
Although there are a lot of tragic stories in Shakespeare’s cadre of works, the comedies are just as plentiful. “As You Like It,” “A Comedy of Errors,” “All’s Well That Ends Well,” “The Merchant of Venice” and “Two Gentleman of Verona” are all popular comic Shakespearean plays that have been performed in theaters throughout the world.
