Context:
Self-awareness is important to the tragic effect. The sense of helplessness is increased when the tragic hero can see the approach of his downfall but can do nothing to avoid it. Macbeth is far-sighted enough to see where it might end even before the first murder. In Act 1 Scene 7 he worries, 'If it were done, when 'tis done' - if only it were over and done with when the deed were committed, with no consequences to consider. Lady Macbeth's attitude is different. After the murder in Act 3 Scene 2 she says, 'what's done is done' - it's over, you can't change it, so forget it and move on. |
