Shakespearean
plays
Tragedies
What is a tragedy?
In plain english, tragedy is any serious or dignified
drama that describes a conflict between the hero
and a superior force, such as destiny, chance,
society, or God and reaches a sorrowful conclusion
that arouses pity or fear in the audience.
What is a Shakespearean tragedy?
There are 5 elements in a shakespearean tragedy that must be
addressed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Tragic hero
Tragic flaw
Reversal of fortune
Catharsis
Restoration of social order
1. Tragic hero
The tragic hero is someone that is
exceptional by nature and generally
raised in some respect above the
average. He or she is always capable
of heroic greatness and is someone
the audience can look up to.
2. Tragic flaw
This tragic hero is nearly perfect, yet
has one interest or habit that
predisposes him to some type of
downfall. This flaw becomes
consuming to the hero, creating the
basis for the tragic story.
3. Reversal of fortune
The hero is placed in circumstances
which allows the chance for this
tragic flaw to lead to his or her
downfall. The initial error becomes
fatal.
4. Catharsis
The hero and his/her fall around not
only our sympathy, but also our
admiration, pity, awe, and terror. This
effect on the audience is known as
catharsis and is the purging of the
audiences emotions.
Restoration of social order
The play cannot end until society is
once again at peace.
Shakespeare's tragedies:
1. Antony and Cleopatra
2. Coriolanus
3. Hamlet
4. Julius Caesar
5. King Lear
6. Macbeth
7. Othello
8. Romeo and Juliet
9. Timon of Athens
10. Titus Andronicus