I cant work it out....

[happyducky]

A tutor asked me, if I knew the connection between Tess of the d'ubervilles and Macbeth, and not neccessarily those two as characters but the plays in general. I suggested that she was once happy and then her life ended in tragedy such as Macbeths, (not correct) and perhaps they both had people dominating them (Tess had Alec Macbeth had Lady Macbeth) again wrong. I can't work it out! Anybody?

[Kit]

A few possibilities (which may not be right either - it's many many years since English Alevel):
1. The fate of both is driven by external supernatural force - Macbeth by the witches' prophecies, Tess by Fate ("As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods..." quote from King Lear if I remember rightly)
2. Both are driven by others to take on roles above their present station - Macbeth is encouraged by his wife to become King of Scotland, Tess is encouraged by her father to claim their birthright as D'Urbervilles
3. Both think they've got away with it - Macbeth feels safe after being told "none of woman born" and Tess mistakenly thinks she can confess to Angel Clare.
Don't know how much that helps, and may be barking up the wrong tree altogether.

[happyducky]

I think these are all very valid connections. I'll say them all and see if one is the one she's after!

[Kit]

Best of luck - when you get the answer, could you post it here please as I'm intrigued now and I'd like to know!

[happyducky]

I will do! To tell you the truth so am I! since it's proved so difficult she's promised us a little something for working it out. so she isn't keen to just tell us the answer!