2. ANALYSIS OF SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY BY H. M. STEED NAMES OF ACTS

3. ACT I Act I in SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY is called the EXPOSITION. Act I in SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY is called the EXPOSITION. It sets forth the following: It sets forth the following: Setting: Setting: Time Time Place Place

4. ACT I (CONTINUED) Protagonist (The character around whom the plot is based) Protagonist (The character around whom the plot is based) Antagonists (Those characters who “antagonize” the Protagonist) Antagonists (Those characters who “antagonize” the Protagonist) Minor Characters (The remainder of the characters) Minor Characters (The remainder of the characters) Tone (Author’s attitude toward his/her subject) Tone (Author’s attitude toward his/her subject) Mood (Reader’s response to the author’s tone) Mood (Reader’s response to the author’s tone)

5. ACT II Act II in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the COMPLICATION. Act II in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the COMPLICATION. It contains the “Complicating Incident”, which initiates the conflict for the Protagonist. It contains the “Complicating Incident”, which initiates the conflict for the Protagonist.

6. ACT III Act III in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the REVERSAL. Act III in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the REVERSAL. It contains the TECHNICAL CLIMAX, which determines the fate of the Protagonist. It contains the TECHNICAL CLIMAX, which determines the fate of the Protagonist.

7. ACT IV Act IV of Shakespearean Tragedy is called the CATASTROPHE, where, as the name implies, everything “falls apart” for the Protagonist. Act IV of Shakespearean Tragedy is called the CATASTROPHE, where, as the name implies, everything “falls apart” for the Protagonist. (It is the same section of the plot as the DENOUEMENT or FALLING ACTION, which are the terms used in analyzing other genres of fiction, such as short stories and novels.) (It is the same section of the plot as the DENOUEMENT or FALLING ACTION, which are the terms used in analyzing other genres of fiction, such as short stories and novels.)

8. ACT V Act V in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the RESOLUTION or CONCLUSION, where “diminished order” is restored. Act V in Shakespearean Tragedy is called the RESOLUTION or CONCLUSION, where “diminished order” is restored. It also includes the DRAMATIC CLIMAX of the play, which, obviously, is the highest point of drama for the Protagonist. It also includes the DRAMATIC CLIMAX of the play, which, obviously, is the highest point of drama for the Protagonist.

9. UNIVERSAL CONFLICTS MAN VERSUS MAN MAN VERSUS MAN MAN VERSUS NATURE MAN VERSUS NATURE MAN VERSUS SELF MAN VERSUS SELF MAN VERSUS SUPERNATURAL MAN VERSUS SUPERNATURAL

10. THEMES The themes of Shakespearean Tragedy, as in other genres of literature, are the “messages” the author is attempting to convey to the reader or to the audience. The themes of Shakespearean Tragedy, as in other genres of literature, are the “messages” the author is attempting to convey to the reader or to the audience.

11. SYMBOLISM Symbols in Shakespearean Tragedy, just as in other genres of literature, include “concrete” objects (i.e., objects which can be seen or visualized) which “symbolize” an abstract idea or emotion. Symbols in Shakespearean Tragedy, just as in other genres of literature, include “concrete” objects (i.e., objects which can be seen or visualized) which “symbolize” an abstract idea or emotion.

12. IMAGERY Imagery appeals to one of the “senses,” such as visual, auditory, taste, touch, smell, and emotional. Imagery appeals to one of the “senses,” such as visual, auditory, taste, touch, smell, and emotional. In Shakespearean Tragedy, just as in other genres of literature, it is used by the author to provoke “higher level thinking” on the part of the reader or audience. In Shakespearean Tragedy, just as in other genres of literature, it is used by the author to provoke “higher level thinking” on the part of the reader or audience.