Hamartia Flashcards
What is a hamartia?
A person’s fatal flaw
Macbeth - ‘‘I h— n- s— t- p—- the sides of – —–, b– only V—— Am——‘’
’‘I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only Vaulting Ambition’‘
Who could be the ‘‘spur’’ to prick the sides of Macbeth’s intent?
Lady Macbeth. Macbeth needs her to reach that ambition - he calls her his ‘‘dearest partner of greatness’’, implying they are equal partners in the murder of Duncan. Perhaps this is why Shakespeare kills them both in the end of the play.
Banquo - Hamartia
'’s—- t— t- m-‘’
’‘speak then to me’’
Banquo’s Destruction
Sacrifice - he knows he ‘‘sh— g– k—-,’’
Banquo seemingly sacrifices himself for his son fleance, however we coudl suggest that this shows how Hamartia leads to the destruction of the character. He’s equipped with the knowledge that he ‘‘shalt get kings, though thou be none’’. Banquo could’ve given up his life out of ambition so taht his family name would carry on for generations to come into the monarchy.
Hamartia - Witches.
Their hamartia is love - Hecate tells them Macbeth only ‘‘l—s f– h– o– ends, n– f– y—’’
We see Hamartia in a new light if we look at the witches, who are outcast from society. Their hamartia is love, perhaps they simply want to be loved. In one way, they achieve that through Macbeth, who sought them out again after their first meeting.
However, as Hecate rightly tells them, he ‘‘loves for his own ends, not for you’‘ Shakespeare could be criticisng how marginalised woman are in soceity, how they truly want love and companionship however are sought out by men for personal gain.
