1. Five act structure

2. Five Acts Shakespeare follows the Greek format developed by Sophocles.
Tragic character suffers a reversal of fortune – a change for the worse
Reversal of fortune brought on by tragic flaw.
Tragic flaw: moral weakness or human error that causes the protagonist’s downfall

3. Types of Plays
Tragedy: A play in which the main character, called the tragic hero, suffers a downfall. This may result from outside forces or a tragic flaw within the character.
Comedy: A type of play that deals with light and amusing subjects or with serious subjects in a light or satirical manner.

4. Exposition
Act 1: Audience is introduced to the setting, characters, and hint of a conflict.

5. Rising Action
Act II: Action becomes more complicated. Interests clash, events accelerate, tensions mount, and momentum builds.

6. Climax of the Action
ACT III: The conflict reaches its high point, the hero stands at the crossroads, leading to victory or defeat, crashing or soaring.

7. Falling Action
ACT IV: Reversals: The consequences of Act III play out, momentum slows, and tension is heightened by false hopes/fears. There is still hope for the hero.

8. Catastrophe/Resolution
Act V: The conflict is resolved, whether through a catastrophe, the downfall of the hero, or through his victory and transformation.

9. Additional Vocabulary
Aside: A comment made by a character that is heard by the audience or another character, but is not heard by the other characters on stage. (“to the side”)
Soliloquy: Long speech delivered by a character who is alone onstage. Reveals the private thoughts and emotions of the character.
Comic Relief: A short, funny episode that interrupts an otherwise serious or tragic work of drama.

10. More Vocabulary
Monologue: Long speech by a character that sets the scene and gives information to other actors who are present on stage.
Elizabethan Stage: Three stories high, open area in the center with a stage that juts out from the center. No props, scenery or costumes. All male actors.

11. More Vocabulary
Concealment: a literary device that means to hold back information in order to keep the audience in suspense.
Stage Directions: written instructions that explain how actors should look, speak, move, and behave.

12. Themes
The themes of fate, destiny, the supernatural are common throughout tragic plays.
These plays usually show the weakness of human beings.
The main character is always faced with difficult decisions.
Usually the downfall of the tragic hero is brought about by his/her own doings or character flaws. Some examples of character flaws are:
anger
jealousy
greed
power/control

13. TRAGEDY PLOT LINE Until…..
My life is perfect with a lot to lose. I have power, love, and a good reputation!
BUT I do have a tragic flaw that I cannot control.
People, gods, spirits, and ghosts warn me, but I don't listen and continue to ignore them!
Until…..

14. HAMARTIA
Hamartia is the action that brings about the downfall of the tragic hero.

15. HUBRIS
Hubris is EXTREME arrogance and pride which will eventually lead to trouble for the tragic hero.

16. CATASTROPHE
A catastrophe is an unstoppable series of destructive events.

17. EPIPHANY
After realizing their faults, the tragic hero may have an EPIPHANY.
So, what’s an epiphany?
An epiphany is a sudden realization or understanding about a truth or about yourself that completely changes your worldview.

18. The POINT about a tragedy is...
The epiphany always comes too late.
The tragic hero loses almost everything that was once important to him such as:
Money, power, respect, and loved ones..
Sometimes even his own life.

19. Facts about Shakespeare
He was born in England
The death of his son Hamnet inspired him to write Hamlet
He wrote tragedy, comedy and history plays
He followed the five act play format of Greek playwright Sophocles
He retired after the Globe Theater burned down
In his will, he left his wife, Anne Hathaway, their “second best bed”
It is believed he died on his birthday 4/23/1616

20. The Globe Theater