Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy

tragedy

a drama that results in a catastrophe for the main characters

tragic hero

• the protagonist

• usually fails or dies because of a character flaw or a cruel twist of fate

antagonist

• the adversary or hostile force opposing the protagonist

• can be a character, a group of characters, or a nonhuman entity

foil

• a character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another character

• emphasizes another character’s attributes and traits

soliloquy

• a speech given by a character alone

• exposes a character’s thoughts and feeling to the audience

dramatic irony

• when the audience knows more than the characters; helps build suspense

aside

• a character’s remark that other on the stage do not hear

• reveals the character’s private thoughts

comic relief

• a humorous scene or speech meant to relieve tension; the contrast can heighten the seriousness of an action