Presentation on theme: "The Shakespearean Tragedy. Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy The main character, called the tragic hero comes to an unhappy ending. The tragic."— Presentation transcript:
Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy The main character, called the tragic hero comes to an unhappy ending. The tragic hero is generally a person of importance in society, such as a king or queen. The tragic hero exhibits extraordinary qualities, but also a tragic flaw, which is a fatal error in judgment or weakness that leads directly to his or her downfall.
The hero faces an antagonist, his enemy, who may contribute to his downfall. A series of related events leads to a catastrophe, which involves the death of the hero. The tragic hero usually recognizes his or her tragic flaw by the end and gains the audience’s sympathy. The tragic hero meets his or her doom with courage and dignity, reaffirming the greatness of the human spirit.
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds EX: “One great furnace flamed” Allusions: An author’s reference to other works of literature or historical events or figures EX: “Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit of that forbidden tree…” Elevated Diction: The use of lofty words and phrases to match the “exalted subject and theme” of the epic (“larger- than-life” characters and themes)
Epic Simile: A comparison in which something in the poem is compared to something quite outside the poem- often an animal, sometimes a human being or a human action. EX: Satan’s size is compared to the bodies of Greek myth. Giants (II 197-200) Blank Verse: Unrhymed, iambic pentameter (ten beats per line) Omitted words & Inverted syntax Subject/verbs are often placed out of order to accommodate demands of meter. EX: “sin, Heavenly Muse…” could be placed at the beginning of the poem
Exposition The exposition provides the background information needed to properly understand the story, such as the protagonist, antagonist, basic conflict, and setting. The exposition ends with the inciting moment, which is the incident that without there would be no story.
Rising Action The basic conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts, including various obstacles that frustrate the protagonist’s attempt to reach their goal.
Climax The third act is the climax or turning point, which marks a change for the better or the worse in the protagonists affairs. In a tragedy things will go from good to bad.
Falling Action The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels, with the protagonist losing against the antagonist. The falling action might contain a moment of final suspense, during which the final outcome of the conflict is in doubt.
Denouement The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which the protagonist is worse off than at the beginning of the narrative.