Tragedies: Sophocles and Shakespeare

an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions (OÆBrien and Dukore 1-2).

For both Oedipus and Macbeth, their actions are serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude, their stories are told through action with embellished language, and emotions through pity and fear achieve purgation.

Both Oedipus and Macbeth have a tragic flaw, considered necessary by Aristotle to bring great men down in a tragic manner. Shakespeare tells us that MacbethÆs tragic flaw is ôVaulting ambition, which oÆerleaps itselfö (I.viii.27). OedipusÆ tragic flaw is that he must find the truth, even if the truth reveals him to be guilty of unspeakable crimes. As he

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Approximate Word count = 783
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page)

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