Tragedy and Comedy: Key Concepts in Literature and Theatre

What is the primary difference between tragedy and comedy according to Aldous Huxley?

In tragedy, we participate, while in comedy, we only look.

How did Juliette Binoche describe her characters in relation to tragedy?

She stated that her characters are full of life and did not choose tragedy; rather, tragedy chose them.

What did C. S. Lewis argue about the importance of tragedy?

He believed that tragedy brings people out of their own desires and into awareness of others' suffering.

What did classical Greek writers believe about facing tragedy?

They thought it was a healthy and necessary antidote to human foolishness, teaching self-awareness.

What is the classical definition of tragedy according to Aristotle?

Tragedy is the imitation of a serious action that evokes pity and fear, leading to catharsis.

What does the term 'catharsis' imply in the context of tragedy?

It implies purging negative emotions like pity and fear, or purifying them into something healthy.

What is the role of the tragic hero in traditional Greek drama?

The tragic hero is of great social importance, admirable, and often experiences a downfall due to their own traits.

What is 'hubris' in the context of a tragic hero?

Hubris refers to excessive pride or ambition that leads to the hero's downfall.

What is the significance of 'peripeteia' in a tragedy?

Peripeteia is the sudden reversal of fortune that leads the hero from glory to downfall.

What does 'anagnorisis' refer to in a tragic narrative?

Anagnorisis is the moment of tragic recognition where the hero realizes their mistake and its consequences.

How does tragedy affect not just the hero but also others around them?

The hero's poor choices lead to suffering and pain for innocent people, highlighting the broader impact of their actions.

What is the relationship between personal choice and fate in tragedy?

Tragedy involves a mixture of personal choice and fate, where the hero's decisions lead to unforeseen negative outcomes.

What did Ralph Waldo Emerson suggest about fate in relation to tragedy?

He suggested that fate is shaped by deeds committed in a prior state of existence.

What does the quote by Josef Stalin imply about perception of tragedy?

It suggests that individual tragedies are more impactful than large-scale suffering, which can become mere statistics.

How did Romantic poets view tragedy?

They valued it as an emotional exercise that helped audiences learn compassion through witnessing suffering.

What is the effect of tragedy on the audience according to the text?

Tragedy allows the audience to sympathize with others' pain and reflect on their own humanity.

What is the significance of the tragic hero's realization of their error?

This realization, or anagnorisis, often comes too late to prevent the impending disaster.

What is the broader implication of a tragedy beyond the hero's downfall?

The tragedy causes suffering for others, illustrating the interconnectedness of human experiences.

How do different characters respond to the consequences of tragedy?

Responses vary, with some characters showing psychotic fatalism, grief, or delayed action.

What does the phrase 'tragedy spirals out behind the hero' mean?

It means that the hero's choices lead to suffering not only for themselves but also for those they care about.

What cultural shift occurred with the rise of the sentimental novel in the late 1700s?

It reflected a growing interest in the emotional impact of tragedy on audiences.

What is the role of the audience in experiencing tragedy?

The audience engages with the emotional weight of the tragedy, learning from the characters' suffering.

What does the quote by Charmezel Dudt suggest about the nature of tragedy?

It emphasizes that the tragedy of a noble individual is compounded by the suffering it causes in others.

Tragedy

Emphasizes human suffering.

Comedy

Emphasizes renewal of human nature.

Tragic Hero

"Hero" awakens to better nature after folly exposed.

Comic Protagonist

"Hero" finds selfhood by joining flow of society and community, rejecting individuality.

Tragic Struggle

Serious and painful struggle.

Comic Struggle

Less serious and painful struggle.

Tragic Methods

Tragedy depends on validity of universal norms.

Comic Methods

Comedy exploits conflicting values.

What is the Globe Theatre known for?

It is the most famous theater in history, located on the south bank of London's Thames River.

What does the term 'This Wooden O' refer to?

It describes the Globe Theatre's octagonal or nearly round shape, as mentioned in the prologue to Shakespeare's King Henry the Fifth.

How many audience members could the Globe Theatre accommodate?

Approximately 3,000, drawn from all social classes.

What were 'groundlings' in the context of the Globe Theatre?

They were audience members who stood on three sides of the raised stage and paid a penny for admission.

What was the stage size of the Globe Theatre?

About 40 feet across and 27 feet deep.

How did the Globe Theatre manage weather conditions for its audience?

Gallery patrons were sheltered from rain, while groundlings were exposed to the elements.

What was the purpose of the upper playing area in the Globe Theatre?

It served as Juliet's balcony and had a music room above it.

What role did imagery play in Shakespeare's works?

Imagery appeals to the senses and controls audience responses to the events and characters in his plays.

How does Shakespeare use imagery in 'Romeo and Juliet'?

It contrasts the practical, violent world of day with the hopeful, romantic world of night.

What is the significance of the balcony scene in 'Romeo and Juliet'?

It highlights themes of love and secrecy, with imagery of night concealing the lovers.

How does Othello's language differ from Iago's in terms of imagery?

Othello uses lofty, noble imagery, while Iago employs low, prosaic imagery filled with animal references.

What transformation does Othello undergo regarding imagery?

As he sees the world through Iago's eyes, he shifts from noble to base imagery.

What does Lady Macbeth's ambition reveal about her character?

It leads her to deny her womanliness and embrace cruelty.

What imagery does Lady Macbeth invoke when planning Duncan's murder?

She calls for the 'thick night' to conceal her actions and intentions.

How does Shakespeare depict the theme of love in 'Macbeth'?

Love becomes perverted by ambition, leading to division and madness between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

What is the primary source of information about Shakespeare's life?

Records include a will, baptismal certificate, theatrical records, and six authenticated signatures.

What is notable about the documentation of Shakespeare's personal life?

There are no letters or memoirs in Shakespeare's own hand, making details of his life scarce.

What does Dr. Schoenbaum say about what is known of Shakespeare's life?

It can be condensed into a sentence describing his birth, marriage, career, and death.

What is the significance of the letter from Richard Quiney to Shakespeare?

It reveals that Shakespeare was considered a good candidate for a loan, indicating his prominence, as he was asked to lend thirty pounds, a substantial amount equivalent to three years' income for a schoolmaster.

What were the primary records of Shakespeare's time?

Parish records that documented life cycle events such as birth, death, baptism, and marriage.

What is known about Shakespeare's education?

He attended an excellent grammar school where he studied English, Latin, and history, but it is unclear how long he attended.

What were the typical school hours for students in Shakespeare's time?

Students began at 6:30 AM, had breakfast from 9 to 9:15 AM, studied until 3 PM, had tea until 3:30 PM, and continued studying until 6:30 PM, six days a week.

What were the circumstances surrounding Shakespeare's marriage?

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582, when he was 18 and she was 27, and their marriage was notable because she was pregnant at the time.

Who were Shakespeare's children?

He had three children: Susanna, born in 1583, and twins Judith and Hamnet, born in 1585. Hamnet died at age 11.

What is known about Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'?

These are the years between the birth of his twins and his emergence in London, during which little is known about his activities.

What evidence supports that Shakespeare wrote his own plays?

Seven years after his death, his friends published his plays in a folio, confirming his authorship, as no reputable scholar doubts he wrote them.

How did Shakespeare's financial situation appear during his lifetime?

He made money from his plays and sent most of it home to his family, eventually buying them a large house.

What does Shakespeare's will reveal about his relationship with Anne Hathaway?

He left her the 'second-best bed,' which was the conjugal bed, suggesting a more nuanced view of their relationship than some interpretations imply.

What was the nature of writing and publishing plays during Shakespeare's time?

Plays were primarily written to be acted and performed, not published as books for reading.

What was the public perception of writers during Shakespeare's era?

Writers were often regarded as persons of dubious standing, and there was little public interest in their lives unless they were involved in scandal.

What was the educational background of children in Shakespeare's time?

Both boys and girls attended school from ages four to seven, after which boys could choose to continue schooling or enter the workforce.

What was the role of the church in marriage during Shakespeare's time?

Marriage required the proclamation of banns three times in church, allowing anyone to come forward if there was an impediment.

What was the significance of the Folio published in 1629?

It gathered all of Shakespeare's plays and served as a testament to his authorship, featuring the names of actors from his company.

What were some theories about Shakespeare's activities during the 'Lost Years'?

Speculations include him being a sailor, a lawyer, or a schoolmaster, reflecting how people project their own professions onto him.

What does the letter from Quiney suggest about Shakespeare's social status?

It indicates that Shakespeare was not a struggling artist but a prominent figure in society, capable of lending money.

What was the impact of the lack of records on our knowledge of Shakespeare's life?

The scarcity of records from his time leaves significant gaps in our understanding of his life and the lives of others, including Queen Elizabeth.

Why did Shakespeare write his plays?

He wrote them to be acted and performed, not published as books.

What were 'foul papers' in relation to Shakespeare's plays?

They were prompter's copies recreated from actors' memories, not authorized by Shakespeare.

What is notable about the stage directions in Shakespeare's plays?

There are very few stage directions because Shakespeare was present to answer questions during performances.

What roles did Shakespeare play in the theater?

He was an actor, writer, and producer, and a shareholder in his acting company.

What small parts did Shakespeare act in?

He acted the ghost in Hamlet and an old man named Adam in As You Like It.

Who were Heminges and Condell?

They were friends of Shakespeare who compiled the first collection of his plays.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

He wrote thirty-seven plays, or thirty-eight if counting collaborations.

What type of roles did Shakespeare write for Richard Burbage?

He wrote heavy, dramatic roles such as Macbeth, Lear, and Othello.

Who was Will Kemp?

He was Shakespeare's first clown actor, known for slapstick and physical comedy.

What change occurred when Kemp left the company?

Robert Armin became the clown, known for singing and sophisticated speaking.

What decision-making role did Shakespeare have as a producer?

He decided which plays to produce and where, such as at the Globe or Blackfriars theaters.

Who is a modern equivalent of Shakespeare according to Dr. Barry Gaines?

Woody Allen, as he is also a writer, actor, and producer.

Did Shakespeare borrow ideas for his plots?

Yes, he took plot ideas and characters from other sources but transformed them significantly.

What was the source of Romeo and Juliet?

It was a poem warning children about the consequences of disobeying their parents.

How did Shakespeare's approach to writing differ from simply creating masterpieces?

He wrote plays to entertain audiences, incorporating various forms of entertainment from slapstick to poetry.

What was Shakespeare's vocabulary like compared to the average person of his time?

Shakespeare had a vocabulary of almost 38,000 words, twice that of the average person.

What linguistic features were common in Shakespeare's language?

He used thee and thou for children and intimates, and employed many apostrophes and archaic endings.

How did Shakespeare's language evolve?

His language was flexible and innovative, reflecting the absence of formal grammar and spelling rules.

What does the term 'groundlings' refer to?

Groundlings were the audience members who paid a penny to watch plays, often enjoying slapstick humor.

What is the significance of revision in Shakespeare's works?

Shakespeare sometimes revised his plays, as seen in examples from Romeo and Juliet.

What were conflated editions of Shakespeare's plays?

They were versions that combined multiple texts due to fear of losing content, not authorized by Shakespeare.

How did the absence of women on stage affect Shakespeare's plays?

Young boys played female roles, limiting physical expressions of love and intimacy on stage.

What was the role of language in Shakespeare's plays?

Language was used creatively to convey emotions and actions, compensating for the lack of special effects.

How did audiences respond to Shakespeare's plays?

Audiences included both groundlings and educated individuals, appreciating different aspects of his work.

What does Shakespeare's legacy tell us about his impact?

He was a man for all people and all time, influencing literature and theater profoundly.

What phrase indicates a lack of understanding, often quoted from Shakespeare?

"It's Greek to me"

Which phrase suggests someone feels more victimized than guilty?

"More sinned against than sinning"

What does the term "salad days" refer to?

A time of youthful inexperience or innocence.

What does it mean to be "tongue-tied"?

To be unable to speak due to nervousness or shyness.

What does the phrase "in a pickle" mean?

To be in a difficult or troublesome situation.

What is the significance of the phrase "the game is up"?

It indicates that a deception has been discovered.

What does the phrase "truth will out" suggest?

Truth will eventually be revealed, regardless of attempts to hide it.

What does the expression "give the devil his due" mean?

To acknowledge the good in someone, even if they are generally viewed negatively.