Intro to Shakespearean Tragedy

The Tragic Hero

• Important in their society

• At least one weakness or flaw (a tragic flaw)

• Flaw grows to overwhelm them and lead to their downfall and destruction

Contrast

• One idea, character, or object is contrasted with another for emphasis

• Opposites are placed side by side (e.g., comic scene before a tragic one)

• Shakespeare often uses character foils to contrast with the protagonist

Fate

• An uncontrollable force intervenes in the plot

• Complicates the story but doesn't directly cause the hero's downfall

• The hero's own actions lead to their fate

• Audience may feel sympathy (pathos) for those affected by fate

Supernatural

• Shakespeare included ghosts, witches, premonitions, and prophecies for audience appeal

• These supernatural elements engage and captivate the audience

Pathetic Fallacy

• The hero's actions impact the Chain of Being

• Nature reacts unnaturally (e.g., strange animal behavior, abnormal weather)

Nemesis

• Nemesis, the Greek Goddess of vengeance

• "Nemesis" referred to any agent of fate or bringer of just retribution

Catharsis

• Catharsis: The emotional impact of tragedy on the audience

• Pity and terror are aroused, leading to a purging of these emotions

• Results in "calm of mind, all passion spent" after the experience

Suspense

• Uncertainty in an incident, situation or behavior

• Keeps audience anxious

• Two types: that which provokes intellectual

  curiosity, and that which provokes emotional

  curiosity

Soliloquy

• Speech made by a character when he/she is alone on 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

Aside

• A character speaks directly to the audience but usually goes unheard by the other characters onstage

Dramatic Irony

• Dramatic irony: The audience knows something the character does not

• Characters may be unaware of important facts or the speaker's true intentions

The Spectacular

• Audiences enjoy scenes which present unusual sights