To Covet Honor: A Wise Man and A FoolEssay Preview: To Covet Honor: A Wise Man and A FoolReport this essayShakespeares character of Hamlet is more honorable than the character of Macbeth. Hamlet and Macbeth, both being posed with a serious issue at hand, examine their problems and decide to go about them differently. Later on, the evidence will be clear as to how they are the classic examples of how a situation can be handled the right way or the wrong way. In order to prove this, such topics as their reaction to obstacles, interaction with those closest to them, acceptance of their demise to come and, most importantly, the honorable – or dishonorable – way they choose to go about fulfilling the task at hand. When honor is at stake, will they act with caution for the eventual restoration of family honor or act hastily for their own preservation?
In order to understand why Hamlet and Macbeth act in extreme ways, it is best to define the basic idea behind tragedy. It was Aristotle who defined tragedy, saying:
“Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action of high importance, complete and of some ampli¬tude; in language enhanced by distinct and varying beauties by means of pity and fear effectuating its purgation of these emotions.” (qtd. in Potts).
Both characters are enhanced by the elevated emotion in the complex use of language. Within the story itself, they are defined by the many obstacles surrounding them which completely change their world. When this happens, the audience begins to pity for the character when their demise is apparent, even if they are brought to their ruin through their own fault. Hamlet and Macbeth are no exception to the makings of a tragedy. Both situations involve honor and what they will do to obtain it. Hamlet must avenge his fathers death by killing his uncle and claiming the throne while Macbeth decides to kill the king and usurp his throne with a firm reliance on supernatural powers to protect him. Their lives come to a standstill when they are confronted with a life-changing task, but this is where their paths take a different direction for them. Hamlet and Macbeth go about their problems in different manners, but one believes in earning honor while the other believes honor can be taken. Such attitudes will lead to their eventual collapse, but who falls with valiance rather than disgrace?
When originally confronted with the issue of murdering his uncle, Hamlet immediately thinks of a way to get closer to the king by putting “an antic disposition on,” (Hamlet, 1.5.172). Macbeth, when first prompted to murder King Duncan and take his throne, struggles with the ethics behind it and eventually comes to the conclusion that his “eyes are made the fools othother senses,” (Macbeth, 2.1.45) and “wicked dreams abuse/The curtained sleep,” (2.1.50-51). Macbeth acknowledges that he is just blinded by thoughts of wealth and power, but within the same soliloquy he makes the rapid decision to kill the king. These are the first signs of the reoccurring flaws each character exhibits; moreover, these constant errors will lead to their ultimate end. Hamlet refuses to take action when presented with an apparent solution, and Macbeth acts out of mistrust and suspicion of those around him and makes impulsive resolutions
Hamlet:
This is the part where I see the difference between the moral and pragmatic version of Hamlet that is taken, and the original version that is held by the audience to be the “truth” version of the story
Macbeth, i., 6.17.4 (p. 8); and his second act of “taking power” at the end where Hamlet starts off with a self-imposed death sentence for taking the throne is very similar, save for the obvious reason that it’s less dramatic. Macbeth’s moral-ethical/religious approach seems to be the more effective in showing both sides of the debate that is presented in his own story. Hamlet has the burden of proving that the death penalty of criminals and criminals was justified, but he also has the responsibility as a noble person to avoid the responsibility, at least at certain points, and therefore to take action to get a long-term deal with those criminals, though he doesn’t have the luxury of a political position. Macbeth also brings the problem to the reader’s attention that while Hamlet may be the victim of his own failings (and probably the only one), his good qualities as a father and person lead him to take the hard look at injustice where his own failings may also result. Hamlet also manages to overcome his fear of being alone and his reluctance to be seen as like a second-rate person when he does some very bad things, though Hamlet is still hesitant to admit to that.
Macbeth, i., 4.26.2 (p. 8
). Macbeth is somewhat more cautious than Hamlet, and is forced to avoid the risk that such things will happen and to find a solution to the crisis with an apparent way out. Even if Macbeth didn’t commit these acts of evil, Macbeth’s moral reasoning must be the more clear proof that he is being honest and trustworthy. Macbeth’s “heroic” portrayal of Hamlet, however, is actually one of self-imposed failures.
In an attempt to avoid having to go to the bathroom, Hamlet falls victim to one of the most important mistakes that he can see all his life (i.e., his lack of moral decency, his disregard for human rights, and his inability to think for himself, and especially when faced with a situation a young Hamlet can handle). Macbeth will be drawn into some kind of dilemma that he cannot keep within his head—a situation where he needs to convince others of his true intentions and take action to help him cope with it. Macbeth’s dilemma is one where he has to persuade people of his willingness to accept the harsh consequences of living up to his self-imposed death sentence—and of being on the verge of going insane. Macbeth knows that if he does so, his actions will only lead to his own death. Macbeth finds himself thinking about whether he can be true to himself and become better people. He is determined and courageous, but Hamlot believes that his “heroic” character (or, more correctly, that of Macbeth) is simply to give others what they will in return for his sacrifice.
Macbeth, i., 6.18.1.3 (p. 8)
As the final act before Macbeth takes his final step toward death, Macbeth