Shakespeare’s tragedies Andra Prems XI B

Shakespeare’s tragedies Shakespeare wrote tragedies from the beginning of his career Tragedies appeared during his pessimistic period when he transformed from a merry story-teller into a severe critic and judge One of his earlies plays was Titus Andronicus His most admired tragedies were written between 1601 and 1608

Tragedies and characters Shakespeare had faith in man’s virtue Evil forces are victorious only to a certain point In the end good always wins Charaters have universal personalities They are real, ordinary, live men

“Heart” tragedies “Heart” tragedies involve a pair lovers torn apart by fate and society Romeo and Juliet Antony and Cleopatra

“Head tragedies” “Head” tragedies feature fatally-flawed protagonist fully capable of free will who unfortunately has his good traits overcome by ego Defined by their relationship to Greek philosopher Aristotle’s theories of dramatic tragedy Titus Andronicus Hamlet Macbeth King Lear

Heart/head borderline Some of Shakespeare’s tragedies are considered to be boderline heart/head tragedies as they combine elements of both genres Othello Troilus and Cressida

List of tragedies by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet King Lear Hamlet Macbeth Othello Julius Caesar Antony and Cleopatra Coriolanus The History of Troilus and Cressida The Life of Timon of Athens Titus Andronicus Cymbeline

Hamlet Philosophical drama, the tragedy of a humanist Yound Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius Believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 Shakespeare’s longest and most frequently performed plays

Romeo and Juliet Tragedy about two young lovers One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays

Othello Othello revolves around four central characters: Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, trusted ensign lago. Racism, love, jealousy, betrayal

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