Comparison Between Macbeth and Doctor Faustus

According to Aristotle, Tragedy is 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 of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions``. A tragedy consists of six component parts, which are listed here in order from most important to least important: plot, character, thought, diction, songs, and spectacle.

Macbeth is one of the most prominent tragic play of William Shakspeare. It has the quality of tragic play. Macbeth is a mediaeval tragic hero. He has the characteristics of a tragic hero. First he is a heroic warrior and Thane of Cawdor and Glamis. He begins brutally murdering good people, including King Duncan, to gain power. It is his tragic flaw that is responsible for his downfall. From first to last of this play, Macbeth has an internal conflict between good and evil that characterises a tragic hero. On the other hand, his death or fall evokes pity and fear in the audience.

On the other hand, Doctor Faustus is an impeccable creation of Christopher Marlow. Faustus is also  a mediaeval tragic hero. He has the characteristics of a tragic hero. First, he is a scholar and thirsty for knowledge.  He was starting practising necromancy going against god to gain his extreme ambition. It is his tragic flaw that is responsible for his downfall. From first to last of this olay, Faustus  has an external conflict of good and bad evil that went to his downfall and it also characterises a tragic hero. On the other hand, his tragic death or fall evokes pity and fear in the audience.

Although both the plays are similar in characteristics, there are several differences between them. First, Macbeth did all heroic deeds only for his power. Faustus, on the other hand, surrenders himself to the devil by going against God only to satisfy his need for knowledge, which is a good deed. Faustus asks Mephistopheles where Hell is located, right after giving up his soul to Lucifer.

Second, Macbeth murdered many honest people, including King Duncan, to gain his power. Faustus, on the other hand, often misused his powers and could not put them to good use. But he didn't kill anyone.

Finally, Macbeth was influenced by the Three Witches. He acted according to their predictions and the Three Witches did not directly help him and there was no contract for his work. But, Faustus has made a deal with Mephistopheles to fulfil all his tasks.

Finally it can be said that Macbeth and Faustus have some similarities but some internal dissimilarities. Ultimately, both have a tragic downfall.