Macbetj and Measure for Measure

It has been stated that the essence of dramatic tragedy is that the cost must be paid. This statement refers to the fact that there is a flaw within the tragic hero is either itself a sin or that leads to a sin, whether against God or society, and even if this tragic flaw is not the fault of the hero or heroine, he or she will have to pay for the consequences brought about by their actions. Macbeth is classified as a tragedy while Measure for Measure is considered a comedy, yet the statement applies to both, though the cost to be paid is quite different. Of course, the "crimes" committed are also of a different degree, so it would be proper to view the punishment in each case as fitting the crime.

In the tragedy, the fate of kings is tied to the order of the universe, and dissension and tension in one is reflected in the other. The issue is more complex than this might sound, and one of the reasons the tragic hero has to pay the cost is because he or she threatens the order to the universe and the stability of society by their crime rather than merely their own soul or some more personal damage. In Macbeth, as is common in the tragedy, the fate of the usurper is ordained, and his downfall at the hands of the wronged Macduff, who is the rightful king, is also foretold. Macduff has the right to retake his throne by force. Macbeth's usurpation of the throne leads to a more dangerous and uncertain environment in the land, and nature concurs by expressing through storms a

the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death (V.v.19-23). In the final scenes, Macbeth discovers that he has upset the natural order so greatly that the woods do move. Macbeth leads his troops and fights until his troops are routed and he himself is alone to face Macduff. Macbeth is killed in direct combat with his enemy, Macduff, and in this contest the rightness of Macduff's role is victorious over the usurper, Macbeth. To the last, though, Macbeth plays out his role as a powerful and able soldier, and his leadership is not challenged except from outside. He is aware of what he has done, and he experiences fear and guilt based on the way the prophecy comes to pass step by step. His understanding that the cost must be paid comes when Macduff tells him that he [Macduff] was not born of woman but was "from his mother's womb/ Untimely ripped" (V.viii.15-16), to which Macbeth replies: Accursed be that tongue that tells me so, For it hath cowed my better part of man! (V.viii.17-18). Yet, to the last, Macbeth fights on, unwilling to give in even in the face of certain death. He faces the need to pay the cost. The cost for the tragic flaw in the tragedy is ge

Category: Literature - M