1. Tragedy Tragic Hero Themes

2.  Protagonist  Antagonist

3. “Tragedy is a form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear. Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments.” - Aristotle

4.  Catastrophe  Catastrophic conclusion  Catastrophe seems inevitable  Occurs because of human protagonist’s limitations  Suffering  Protagonist suffers  Suffering seems disproportionate to guilt/blame  Suffering is usually redemptive (learning and/or responsibility)

5.  Qualities  Neither all good nor all evil  If somehow superior, tragedy is intensified  Disastrous end results from mistaken action, arising from tragic flaw or error in judgment Flaw may be hubris (excessive pride)  Audience pities the tragic hero Suffering > offense Audience feels they could behave similarly

6.  Definition  The central idea or message of a work of literature  A perception about life or human nature shared with the reader  Good themes are universal – they are applicable across time and cultures  Never described by one word (Love is not a theme; what the author says about love is.)

7.  Hunger for power  Friendship  Ambition  Vanity  Envy  Revenge Note: These theme descriptors are not themes. You must figure out what point Shakespeare is making about each idea.