Philosophy and Literature- Macbeth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Philosophy and Literature- Macbeth - Essay Example Nights Dream one finds that the plays irrevocably revolve around the human failings of the central characters with the protagonist finally succumbing to the fated end of a tragic death. All the Shakespeare’s plays are fast paced and action packed human drama showcasing a sequence of events involving individuals with distinctive qualities which complement but at the same time clash with each other. This inherent inter-play of emotional turmoil helps dramatise the events and frequently hide the serious undertones of the philosophical ideologies of the author. McGuinn, in his book1 examines the various aspects of Shakespeare’s plays which govern the underlined principles of human life overflowing with bad luck and misery. We would be specially looking at Macbeth for the element of bad luck which follows the protagonist relentlessly till the end and subsequently discussing the Shakespearean philosophy of human misery and tragedy that invariably leads to death. The concept of bad luck implies that without this particular element, life would have been better which of course illustrates a fact recognized and often feared by all. Misfortune can befall anyone but the way one reacts and overcomes them becomes the deciding factor for a happy or miserable future of the person. It is equally true that bad luck brings out the hidden characteristics and suppressed desires of the people which are normally denied because they might lead to disastrous end-results. Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature is displayed in his plays which seem to have an uncanny fascination for creating situations that expose these attributes of the persons resulting in utter misery and tragedy. Macbeth is a high voltage drama involving an ambitious hero in a plot that is full of intrigue, murders, betrayal and revenge resulting in violence and tragic death of the hero. The presence of supernatural elements in the form of witches and ghost add that extra ingredient of Machiavellian thrill