Dramatic Structure in Hamlet Shakespearean Tragedy Every Shakespearean

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Dramatic Structure in Hamlet

Dramatic Structure in Hamlet

Shakespearean Tragedy � Every Shakespearean tragedy is divided into five acts and contains the

Shakespearean Tragedy � Every Shakespearean tragedy is divided into five acts and contains the following six elements: › › › A starting point An initial exciting force Some kind of rising action A turning point Some kind of falling action An ending

Elements � In more formal and explicit terms: › Exposition: describes the mood and

Elements � In more formal and explicit terms: › Exposition: describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play. Time and place will be identified, as well as main characters, positions, circumstances, and relationships › Exciting Force: what “gets things going”, thus beginning the conflict

Elements Rising Action: the series of events leading to the climax, involving more than

Elements Rising Action: the series of events leading to the climax, involving more than one act � Climax: the turning point in the play; from this point on the hero moves toward his tragic end � Falling Action: events leading up to the hero’s death, involving more than one act � The Catastrophe: the necessary consequences of the hero’s actions which must be his death �

Elements � In a Shakespearean tragedy, these elements can be found in the following

Elements � In a Shakespearean tragedy, these elements can be found in the following acts: › › › Act I: Exposition, Exciting Force, Rising Action Act II: Rising Action Act III: Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action Act IV: Falling Action Act V: Falling Action, Catastrophe

Irony �A contrast between the way things seem to be and the way they

Irony �A contrast between the way things seem to be and the way they actually are � Verbal – a contrast between what a character says and what he really means � Dramatic – when the audience knows something that the character doesn’t