1. Tragedy

2. Classical Tragedy Its beginning was in Ancient Greece
Over 2,000 years old
Aristotle was the “Father of Greek Tragedy”
Perhaps the oldest genre
Highest form of drama

3. Purpose of Tragedy
Plight of central character should create fear and pity in the audience.
Tragic character(s) evoke pity because the audience sees him/her as unwitting victims of misfortune.
Fear would be evoked in audience at plight of characters.

4. Characteristics of Tragic Hero
Position of high estate
A fall from prosperity to misery
Basically good person
Tragic flaw leads to destruction

5. Characters in Tragedy Should be. . . Realistic
true to life and yet more beautiful than real life.
consistent and true to themselves
consistent within the context of the play.

6. Shakespearean tragedy and Classical tragedy differ in some ways.

7. Differences
Shakespeare’s tragedies. . .
Include subplots.
Use comic relief
Lead up to and include death of hero
Proceed mainly from action of men

8. Shakespeare’s heroes have. . .
a particular obsession
a marked one-sidedness
a fatal tendency

9. Tragedy creates a catharsis (katharsis).
This is a release or purging of emotion in the audience.

10. Plot structure of Tragedy
Shakespearean Tragedy= 5 Acts
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Exposition
Catastrophe