Introduction to Shakespearean Tragedy
Tragedy Definition: Tragic drama is fundamentally serious, involving the
downfall of a heroic figure. The themes are lofty: passion (Romeo and
Juliet), revenge (Hamlet), ambition (Macbeth) and jealousy (Othello).
Unique Elements of Tragedy:
The Tragic Hero: An articulate, social authority, someone who is
“important” within his society (NOTE: “his” is deliberate) ; this hero has at
least one weakness or fault – a tragic flaw – which during the course of the
drama grows until it overcomes his virtues and leads to his downfall and the
destruction of his world.
Chorus: Borrowed from Greek tragedy in which dancers/singers appear at
intervals within the play to comment on the action – express objective
judgement on the proceedings.
Common Elements that Appear in Shakespearean Tragedy
1. Contrast
- one idea/character or object is thrown into opposition with another
for sake of emphasis or clarity
- use of contrast heightens distinctions of character and increases
interest by placing opposites side by side (e.g. comic scene just
before a tragic scene)
- character foils (those who provide contrast, usually to the
protagonist) are used extensively by Shakespeare
2. Fate
- intervention of some force over which humans have not control
- may complicate the plot but does not bring about the downfall of the
hero (he ultimately chooses it for himself by his actions)
- pathos/sympathy may be felt by the audience for those hurt by fate
3. The Supernatural
- Shakespeare knew the appeal of ghosts, witches, premonitions,
prophesies and other supernatural events for his audience. Thus,
he included them
- they may also represent elements outside of human control
4. Pathetic Fallacy
- since the hero’s actions affect the entire Chain of Being, all of
Nature appears to react through unnatural happenings in animal
behaviour or weather
5. Nemesis (compared to Poetic Justice)
- Nemesis is the Greek goddess of vengeance, the personification of
righteous indignation; she pursues those who have displeased the
gods
- by Shakespeare’s time, the term became associated with any agent
of fate or bringer of just retribution
6. Catharsis
- a term to describe the intended impact of tragedy on the audience;
the reason we are drawn, again and again, to watch tragedy despite
its essential sadness
- by experiencing the events which arouse pity and terror, we achieve
a purging (catharsis) of these emotions
- detached pity and involved terror that leaves the spectator with
“calm of mind, all passion spent”
7. Suspense
- uncertainty in an incident, situation, or behaviour
- keeps the audience anxious concerning the outcome of the
protagonist’s conflict
- two types: that which provokes intellectual curiosity and that which
provokes emotional curiosity
- Shakespeare uses conflict, precarious situations, apparently
unsolvable problems, foreshadowing and delay to develop suspense
8. Soliloquy
- speech made by character when he/she is alone on the stage (only
audience is privy to the speech)
Purposes include:
- revealing mood of speaker and reasons for it
- revealing character
- revealing character’s opinion of someone else in the play
- revealing motives of speaker
- creating suspense
- preparing audience for subsequent developments
- explaining matters that would ordinarily require another scene
- reviewing past events and indicating speaker’s attitudes
- reinforcing theme
9. Asides
- comments intended only for the audience (or occasionally for one
other character on stage)
- made in the presence of other characters on stage, but the audience
is aware that these other characters cannot hear the asides
- must be short, or would interfere with the course of the play
Purposes include:
- to indicate character to person speaking
- to draw attention to significance of what has been said or done
- to explain plot development
- to create humour by introducing a witty comment
- to create suspense by foreshadowing
- to remind audience of the presence of speaker, while he/she remains
in the background
10. Dramatic Irony
- this situation occurs when the audience is aware of the conditions
that are unknown to the character on stage or when some of the
characters are ignorant of what really is on the speaker’s mind
11. Humour
- humour may take many forms
- Shakespeare was fascinated by word play; therefore, puns are
common in his plays
- may create humour through presenting the completely unexpected
12. The Spectacular
- audiences enjoy scene which presents unusual sights
- furious action, elaborate costumes, or stage props create the
spectacular, thus Shakespeare frequently employs fight scenes,
crowd scenes, banquets, dancing parties and royal courts
ENG3U: Nature of Tragedy Worksheet
Complete on separate paper and hand in your work (regardless of
completion) by end of class today
1. Read Act 3, scene 3 and Act 3, scene 4. Write a brief summary of
each scene (scene 4 will require about a paragraph)
2. Read the attached sheet on the elements of Shakespearian
Tragedy and answer the questions below in short answer form (full
sentences).
3. What character(s) provide a “foil” to Macbeth? (pick at least one)
What do we learn about Macbeth by the foil contrast?
4. Find two examples that create “pathos” for Macbeth. Explain
how/why “pathos” is created.
5. Find and explain two examples in the text that create “intellectual
curiosity.”
6. Find and explain two examples in the text that create “emotional
curiosity.”
7. Pick one of Macbeth’s Soliloquies and explain at least TWO of its
purposes
8. Well structured paragraph response (first person is fine for this
answer): It has been suggested that:
“The essence of Shakespeare's tragedies is the expression of
one of the great paradoxes of life. We might call it the paradox
of disappointment. Defeat, shattered hopes, and ultimately
death face us all as human beings. They are very real, but
somehow we have the intuitive feeling that they happen
“elsewhere” and to “other people.” However, tragic literature
confronts us afresh with this paradox and we become
fascinated by it.”
In your opinion, what has “fascinated” readers/audiences of
Macbeth for centuries? In what ways do you as an individual
relate to Macbeth and/or his situation (first person is fine)?