Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy

Review chart on page 296

A tragedy is 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

Aside:

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

• reveals the character’s private thoughts

Dramatic Irony:

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

Comic Relief:

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