Shakespearean Tragedy

The Tragic Story Shakespeare's tragedies are primarily the stories of one person, the ‘hero’ Shakespeare's tragedies are primarily the stories of one person, the ‘hero’ The two exceptions to this rule are (R&J and Cleopatra) which have both a tragic ‘hero’ and ‘heroine’ The two exceptions to this rule are (R&J and Cleopatra) which have both a tragic ‘hero’ and ‘heroine’ The tragic story depicts a troubled part of the hero/heroine’s life which leads up to and includes their death The tragic story depicts a troubled part of the hero/heroine’s life which leads up to and includes their death Suffering and calamity are constant themes in the tragic story Suffering and calamity are constant themes in the tragic story

The Tragic Hero Tragic Heroes are:  Men of high standing  The calamities that befall them are unusual and exceptionally disastrous  The hero falls unexpectedly from his place of high standing due to a tragic flaw  The tragic hero is often influenced by mental instability (Hamlet), supernatural elements (Macbeth, Hamlet) or ‘chance’ (R&J)

Tragic Flaws The hero’s tragic flaw often takes the form of obsession (revenge, greed, lust/love, ambition, etc.) The hero’s tragic flaw often takes the form of obsession (revenge, greed, lust/love, ambition, etc.) The hero’s tragic flaw is the cause of the calamities, tragedies and deaths that occur in the story The hero’s tragic flaw is the cause of the calamities, tragedies and deaths that occur in the story Symbolically, the flaw usually represents the heroes humanity or human frailty Symbolically, the flaw usually represents the heroes humanity or human frailty

The Tragic Hero’s Internal Conflict Although external conflicts are present within Shakespearean Tragedies, the most complex conflict is the internal conflict of the tragic hero Although external conflicts are present within Shakespearean Tragedies, the most complex conflict is the internal conflict of the tragic hero The hero is torn by an inward struggle which causes perceived mental instability and tragic actions The hero is torn by an inward struggle which causes perceived mental instability and tragic actions

Final Notes Shakespearean audiences usually sympathize with the tragic hero, as when they are introduced, they are men of good standing who befall challenging circumstances Shakespearean audiences usually sympathize with the tragic hero, as when they are introduced, they are men of good standing who befall challenging circumstances Shakespeare’s tragic heroes illustrate that men are not wholly ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and that ‘goodness/greatness’ can easily be wasted due to a tragic flaw Shakespeare’s tragic heroes illustrate that men are not wholly ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and that ‘goodness/greatness’ can easily be wasted due to a tragic flaw Shakespeare’ tragic heroes are destined to fall from grace - despite the efforts of those around them to ‘save’ them from tragedy, and unfortunately tragedy will also befall all those close to them, whether friend or foe Shakespeare’ tragic heroes are destined to fall from grace - despite the efforts of those around them to ‘save’ them from tragedy, and unfortunately tragedy will also befall all those close to them, whether friend or foe