Tragedy
Greek philosopher
Aristotle’s definition in
Poetics:
A tragedy, then, is the
imitation of an action that
is serious and also,
Tragedy
…as having magnitude,
complete in itself; in
language with pleasurable
accessories,
Tragedy
…each kind brought in
separately in the parts of the
work; in a dramatic, not in a
narrative form;
Tragedy
…with incidents arousing
pity and fear, wherewith to
accomplish its catharsis of
such emotions.
Literary
Definition
Tragedy is a type of drama
or literature that shows the
downfall or destruction of a
noble or outstanding
person,
Literary
Definition
…traditionally one who
possesses a character
weakness called a tragic
flaw.
Literary
Definition
The tragic hero, through
choice or circumstance, is
caught up in a sequence
of events that inevitably
results in disaster.
Literary
Definition
Because the protagonist is
neither a wicked villain nor
an innocent victim, the
audience reacts with
mixed emotions – both pity
and fear.
Literary
Definition
The outcome of a tragedy,
in which the protagonist is
isolated from society,
Literary
Definition
…contrasts with the happy
resolution of a comedy, in
which the protagonist
makes peace with society.
Two important
factors in
tragedy:
(1)The role of chance or
fate.
Two important
factors in
tragedy:
(2) The hero’s tragic flaw
– some character defect
that helps to bring about
his downfall; otherwise,
Two important
factors in
tragedy:
…he would be afflicted
with entirely
underserved suffering.
Two important
factors in
tragedy:
The hero has ordinary
human failings or
limitations and falls short
of ultimate perfection.
Shakespearean
Tragedies
Structure of a
Tragedy
Structure
of a
Tragedy
All of Shakespeare’s
plays have 5 acts.
Structure
of a Tragedy
Act III
Act II
Act I
Act IV
Exposition
Act V
Structure
of a Tragedy
Act III
Act II Rising Act IV
Action
Act I
(w/inciting
incident)
Act V
Structure
of a Tragedy
Act III
Act II
Act I
Climax
Act IV
Act V
Structure
of a Tragedy
Act III
Act II
Act I
Falling
Action
Act IV
Act V
Structure
of a Tragedy
Act III
Act II
Act I
Act IV
Catastrophe
Act V
Shakespearean Heroes
Are exceptional beings in
that they are persons of
high degree or public
importance.
(Often kings or military
leaders.)
Shakespearean Heroes
Their downfalls have great
consequences, often
affecting the welfare of
whole nations.
Shakespearean Heroes
Cause their own downfalls;
the calamities do not just
happen by accident, nor
are they sent from above.
Rather, they proceed from
the hero’s own actions.
Shakespearean Heroes
Possess a flaw in their
character.
(Tragic Flaw)
Elizabethan Universe
Chain of Being
Medieval
people
believed
that God
created
the world
and…
…placed
everything
from
angels to
animals in
careful
order
under Him.
Any violation of any
part of the chain of
being was a destructive
act that could impair
the whole.
Therefore violence
done to a king or by a
king could throw the
universe into chaos.
Historical Background
Macbeth is a play
which is loosely
based upon actual
events.
The action of
Macbeth is
set in 11th
century
Scotland and
England.
The real
Macbeth
ruled as
king of
Scotland
from 10401057.
He did overthrow
Duncan, but Duncan
was a poor king to the
point of being a tyrant
and a military failure.
After Duncan’s death,
Macbeth was elected
as king of Scotland.
Glamis Castle,
Scotland
Poetic License
Shakespeare had
little regard for
historical fact…
…and was
more
interested in
writing for
dramatic
entertainment.
Macbeth was almost
certainly written to
be performed in
front of James I,
…so he included
several elements of
special interest to
the king.
Absolutism or
Absolute Monarchy
• Definition: is a monarchical form of
government in which the monarch has
absolute power among his or her people.
• An absolute monarch wields unrestricted
political power over the sovereign stateand
its people. Absolute monarchies are often
hereditary but other means of transmission
of power are attested.
Counterbalance? Not always.
• The absolute monarch exercises total power
over the land, yet in practice the monarchy
is counterbalanced by political groups from
among the social classes and castes of the
realm, such as the aristocracy, clergy, and
middle and lower classes.
• Countries where the monarch still maintains absolute
power are Brunei,Qatar,[3Oman,[ Saudi Arabia,[ Swaziland,
the emirates comprising the UAE,[and Vatican City.[8]
History Examples:
Historical examples
Throughout much of European history, the divine right of
kings was the theological justification for absolute
monarchy. Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by
divine right, and that their subjects had no rights to limit
their power. James VI of Scotland (later also James I of
England) and his son Charles I of Scotland and England
tried to import this principle.
King James I's
Signature
King James’ Notable Quotes
‘[Smoking is] hateful to the nose, harmful to
the brain, and dangerous to the lungs.” – King
James I
’I can make a lord, but only God can make a
gentleman’ – King James I
’Kings are justly called gods for they exercise
a manner or resemblance of divine power
upon earth’ – King James I
Timeline: King James I England
1603 -1604
1603
James VI of Scotland becomes King James I of England, Scotland, and
Ireland after the death of Elizabeth I uniting the thrones of Scotland and
England.
1603
The Millenary Petition is presented to James I. It expresses Puritan desires for
reforms to the Church of England.
1603
Plot against James to set his cousin Arabella Stuart on the throne. Sir Walter
Raleigh is implicated and imprisoned.
1604
The Somerset House Peace Conference results in peace between England and
Spain.
1604
The Hampton Court Conference fails to settle the doctrinal differences between
the Anglican Church and its Puritan critics.
1604
James proclaims that smoking is harmful to the lungs and imposes a tax on
tobacco
Timeline for King James I
1605-1611
1605
1606
1607
1607
1607
Guy Fawkes and other Catholic dissidents attempt to blow up King and
Parliament in The Gunpowder Plot. They are betrayed and arrested.
The Gunpowder plotters are executed. 120 colonists sail for America.
The Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel end their rebellion against English rule of
Ireland and flee to Europe; Ulster is colonized by Protestant settlers from
Scotland and England.
The English Parliament rejects Union with Scotland.
Common citizenship of English and Scottish persons is granted to those born
after the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne.
1607
Jamestown found in America by the Virginia company
1609
Scottish and English Protestants are encouraged to settle in Ulster
1609
Shakespeare completes the Sonnets.
1611
The King James Authorized Version of the Bible is published.
1611
Dissolution of the first Parliament of James I.
1612-1625
1612
Heretics are burned at the stake for the last time in England.
1613
James' daughter Elizabeth marries Frederick V, Elector of Palatine. Their
descendants in House of Hanover will eventually inherit the British Throne.
1613
The Globe Theatre in London burns during a performance of Henry III
1614
1614
Second Parliament of James I meets.
Scottish mathematician John Napier publishes his theory of logarithms
simplifying calculations for navigators.
1615
George Villiers becomes James’s favourite.
1616
Playwright –William Shakespeare’ dies.
1616
1617
Raleigh is released from prison to lead an expedition to Guiana in search of El
Dorado
George Villiers becomes the Earl of Buckingham.
1618
Raleigh fails in his expedition and on his return is executed for alleged treason
at Westminster.
1620
The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in the Mayflower. They land at Cape
Cod and found New Plymouth.
1625
Death of James I, aged 58.
James I claimed to
be descended from
Banquo.
In focusing on
Macbeth, a figure
from Scottish
history, Shakespeare
paid homage to his
king’s Scottish
lineage.
It was also well
known that
James had a
fascination of
the occult and
witches in
particular.
Macbeth is a
psychological drama,
… which explores the
capacity of humans to be
affected by external
forces.
By the pricking of my
thumbs,
Something wicked this way
comes.
Macbeth Act IV,i,44-45
The Weird Sisters
Wyrd:
The Anglo Saxon
word for Fate.
The Weird Sisters
Watch for the
mood they set
for the play.
The Weird Sisters
Watch for who
is controlling
whom.
Ideas
Fate vs. Freewill
Ideas
Vaulting
Ambition
(Tragic Flaw)
Ideas
Equivocation
(Saying one thing;
meaning another.)
Ideas
Gender and
Power
Motifs
Use of Paradox
Ex. "Fair is foul, and
foul is fair."
Motifs
Use of
Animal
References
Motifs
Use of
Supernatural
Symbol
Blood
Symbol
Dagger
Imagery
Light/Dark
Imagery
Color
(Red and black
are the colors to
watch!)
Lines to listen for
“False face must
hide what false
heart doth
know.”
Lines to listen for
“I have done the
deed.”
Lines to listen for
“Blood
will
have
blood.”
Lines to listen for
“Double,
double, toil and
trouble…”
Where have you heard that
before?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0vwJ
L3gjzw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE6TY
6nOLn8
Lines to listen for
“Out, damned
spot! Out, I
say!”
And now…
Act I, scene I
A barren,
misty
heath
in
Scotland.
Thunder
and
lightning.
Enter
Three
Witches.