Parts of a Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Hero

MC cursed by inevitable fate and possessed a tragic flaw

MC is a towering personality and holds a high position

\
Ex. Macbeth held the high position of Thane and later King; however, he was cursed by fate of meeting the witches and developing a tragic flaw of greed and power that leads to his downfall

Good vs. Evil Struggle

Part of the plot or within the MC

Evil is shown as ever-enduring and goodness never beats evil

Evil is disguised

\
Ex. Macbeth struggles with good vs. evil because he is hesitant to kill Duncan and lets his morals in the way; however, evil overcomes him due to needing power.

Hamartia

Greek for sin or error

The fatal character flaw of tragic hero - MC falls due to it

\
Ex. Macbeth wants power and gets greedy and too ambitious

Tragic waste

Good destroyed alongside evil during the resolution

Loss is known as tragic waste - always a tragic waste of goodness

\
Ex. The death of Duncan - caused this spiral

External Conflict

A problem facing hero due to plot or bad guy

Causes internal conflict in the mind

\
Ex. King Duncan was a conflict in Macbeth getting the throne

Internal conflict

The struggle the hero engages in with his/her fatal flaw

Cannot make decision leads to ultimate failure

Ex. Macbeth grows restless and battles with his inner goodness because he keeps thinking of his committed murder

Catharsis

Release of audience emotions through empathy with moments and characters

Identify characters and take their losses personally

\
Ex. The death of Macbeth released any tension the audience had since he got what he deserved

Supernatural Activities

Creates awe and wonder and fear

Advances plot

\
Ex. Ghosts, witches, magic

Lack of Poetic Justice

Things end poorly, including for good guys

Partial justice sometimes, but good is crushed with evil

\
Ex. The downfall and death of Macduff’s family

Comic relief

Humorous character that is used to lighten the mood

Relieve tension

\
Ex. The porter