Anagnorisis..a critical discovery or a tragic epiphany?

     In Macbeth's case, I think it's safe to say he experienced a tragic epiphany. As he draws his sword and fights for all one is worth, Macbeth feels he is invincible thanks to the Witches prophesy. They planted a thought in his head that "no man born of woman" would be able to harm him. His ignorance is highlighted as he lets this information be the indicator for every decision he makes from that moment on.

     Anagnorisis is best defined as a critical discovery or a tragic epiphany. The word "critical" in this case definitely has a negative connotation behind it. The critical discovery that a character may go through could also be considered a grave discovery. Anagnorisis, on the other hand, is when a character recognizes that the situation he has found himself in has the potential to become disastrous. The unfortunate epiphany, or grave discovery, Macbeth is forced to come to terms with is that he is not as invincible as he had originally thought. Macbeth experiences anagnorisis when Macduff declares that he was not born of woman, but "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb... Yikes. Didn't see that one coming did you, Macbeth?


     Death seems inevitable at this point for our long lost hero, the thane of Cawdor. He lost his way the minute he ran into the Witches. As they spilled the prophesy to Macbeth, he listened with both ears fixated on the few details that declared him to be king one day. Throughout the entire play Macbeth seems to be stuck in a daze. He is so preoccupied with becoming King that he begins to believe he is invincible. He hears the few statements that declare his glory, and ignores all the other. This daze that Macbeth is stuck in is what makes this anagnorisis so defined.

     The discovery, or anagnorisis, that Macbeth experiences has a great impact on the play as a whole. This discovery emphasizes the lesson to be taught throughout the play. Ignorance is shown not to be bliss in Macbeth's case. The audience constantly finds themselves hitting their hands to their heads when Macbeth continues to overlook the blatant signs of ultimate destruction; and a quick one at that. The audience watches as Macbeth, himself, finally begins to understand that he is in a disastrous situation. It becomes obvious that he knew deep down, that the Witches prophesy was too good to be true. The brisk realization of ultimate destruction is destruction from several different angles. Not only is the destruction of his power inevitable, but so is his royalty, as well as himself.

      I think it is safe to say that with ignorance comes anagnorisis. If one was wise enough to listen and learn from situations that occur throughout ones life, that person would be more likely to avoid the unfortunate experience of critical discovery. Macbeth's character is shown to make ignorant decisions throughout the entire play. From letting his wife boss him around, to killing King Duncan with his bare hands, to killing Macduff's family, Macbeth was bound to reach a point of anagnorisis. If only he had realized sooner....maybe he could have kept his head.