Shakespearean Tragedy

Shakespearean tragedy follows a pattern Establishes the hero (sometimes his heroism is thrust upon him) Illustrates the hero’s fall Recognizes a fatal flaw in the hero Some balance is restored.

The Tragic Hero He/she is a noble character: noble and high birth The hero falls from his/her high position; fate may be a factor in the fall. He/she contributes to his/her own downfall and tragic end. He/she faces death with honour. The Tragic Hero

Three Factors that Contribute to the Tragedy downfall and death FATE SOCIETY CHARACTER HIMSELF/HERSELF

The Tragic Vision The conclusion is inevitable and catastrophic. The protagonist suffers terribly, and the audience experiences pity and fear. This suffering is disproportionate to the protagonist’s guilt The suffering is also redemptive, bringing about the capacity for learning and the acceptance of moral responsibility.

The Tragic Plot: Exposition/(Act 1): introduce characters and circumstances Rising Action: (usually Act 2) introduces conflict, builds tension, Focus on the hero and his decisions or lack thereof Climax: high point in the hero’s fortune where he meets his first serious defeat (usually Act 3) Falling Action: opposing force takes over ( Act 4) Catastrophe: reversal of the protagonist’s fortunes results in the character’s death, which is usually a brighter Prospect for him/her than living in disgrace.