2 introduction to shakspearean tragedies
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to ShakespeareanTragedies
Submitted by,Group No 1007_001Amrita University
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Features of Shakespearean Tragedies
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Tragic Flaw tragic flaw - personality trait - leads to downfall of protagonist
most important element
protagonist’s wrong action results in his own ruin
Examples : Macbeth's obsession with power, Othello's jealousy,
and Hamlet's indecisiveness
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Supernatural Elements• Supernatural powers contribute to fate of protagonist
• not solely responsible for downfall of hero (lies in deeds/actions
of hero)
• not illusions of the hero
• contribute to action of play - more than 1/ 2 scenes
• Eg: use of witches - reflect ancient social beliefs – belief of
Macbeth in witches’ prophecy
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Internal & External Conflicts• external conflict - conflict between two people, the tragic hero &
another main character
• conflict between 2 parties, one led by tragic hero
• result - always in favour of good party
• inward conflict - represents struggle of thoughts in hero’s mind
• result - hero goes insane (King Lear)
• includes spiritual forces working the hero
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Fate / Fortune
• Hero’s/heroine’s downfall produces a contrast
• affects fate & welfare of entire nation
• reflects powerlessness of human beings and omnipotence of fate
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Theme of Foul / Revenge
• foul has to counterfeit fair - unwritten rule of Shakespearean
tragedy
• "fair is foul and foul is fair" - refrain of Macbeth
• Hamlet – revenge, the driving force behind Hamlet’s character
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Paradox of Life
• calamity & suffering of tragic hero - contrasted with previous
happiness & glory
• Eg: Macbeth - most brave & loyal soldier - rewarded by king
Duncan for bravery & love for nation- dissatisfied with whatever
he got- desired more.
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Catharsis
• evokes pity, fear, similar emotions in audience
• audience feels sympathy for character
• empathize with his/her sufferings
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Tragic Structure
Tragic story (Shakespearean) divided into four parts:
• EXPOSITION
• RISING ACTION
• FALLING ACTION
• RESOLUTION
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Exposition: • beginning of the play audience gets to know:
– characters and their traits
– general setting of story
– major conflict in story
– tragic flaw of the hero
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Rising Action:• develops through second act
• extends up to third and fourth act
• plot gathers momentum
• action increases- outcome of protagonist's over-ambitious
nature/feeling of revenge
• plot eventually reaches crisis
• hero makes a decision that changes course of play
• end of rising action- hero is left alone
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Falling Action:
• From beginning of fourth act
• opposite forces become active & start open resistance
• start plotting - removal of hero
• power of tragic hero starts declining
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Resolution:
• last & final act
• opposite forces reach full power & defeat isolated tragic hero
• hero recognizes his faults yet, cannot do anything about it
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Shakespearean Tragedies• Antony and Cleopatra
• Coriolanus
• Hamlet
• Julius Caesar
• King Lear
• Macbeth
• Othello
• Romeo and Juliet
• Timon of Athens
• Titus Andronicus
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Credits
Template Courtesy: Shakespeare template http://www.m62.net/powerpoint-
templates/education-templates/shakespeare-template/
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QUIZ
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I. Which aspect in a Shakespearean tragedy contributes to the hero’s fall?
a) supernatural elements b) hamartia c) internal conflict d) fate
II. Macbeth’s ambition is an example of
a) Internal conflict b) external conflict c) paradox of life d) tragic flaw
III. Which element contributes to crisis in a Shakespearean play
a) exposition b) falling action c) rising action d) resolution
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IV. Choose the right order of action in a Shakespearean tragedy:
a) falling action, exposition, rising action, resolutionb) exposition, rising action, falling action, Resolutionc) rising action, exposition, falling action, resolutiond) resolution, rising action, Exposition, falling action
V. Hamlet’s fear of action is an example of?
a) Internal conflict b) tragic flaw c) Catharsis d) external conflict
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ANSWERS
I. b) hamartia
II. d) tragic flaw
III. c) rising action
IV. b) exposition, rising action, falling action, Resolution
V. b) tragic flaw
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Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, 2016
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