Elements of Shakespearean Tragedy The Globe Theatre Shakespeares

Elements of Shakespearean Tragedy

The Globe Theatre • Shakespeare’s plays were first performed at the Globe Theatre in London. • The original Globe burned down in 1613.

No roof, so if it rained or was dark out, there was no performance. 3 stories high; wealthy theatregoers would sit in these covered areas, with the most expensive seats highest up. When the flag was flying, it meant there was a performance that day. The poorest theater-goers could stand here to watch the play for a penny. They were called “groundlings. ” Circular or octagonal structure that could house over 2000 theater-goers.

A ceiling above the stage was painted with the starry sky—it was called the “heavens. ” There were few costumes, and even fewer props and scenery, so the set up of the stage was very important in Shakespeare’s Globe. There were also trap doors in the stage to allow for special effects, like ghosts entering. A balcony above the stage also allowed for additional stage area. Doors on both sides of the stage allowed for actors to enter and exit. A rectagular “apron” stage jutted out into the middle of theater.

What is a tragedy? • A tragedy presents serious events that end unhappily. –The unhappy ending usually involves catastrophe or death for the main characters.

Shakespeare’s Characters • Types of characters you already know – protagonist – antagonist • A new type of character – foil character: a character whose personality and attitude contrasts sharply with another character • The differences make each character’s traits even more obvious

Foil Character Application How do the characters in the following passage contrast with each other? What are each of their personality traits? What do their character traits make obvious about the other character? Ann: Wow, what a beautiful sunny day! Zoe: Great, now I have to worry about getting a sunburn. Ann: Just look at all the lovely flowers blooming, though. Zoe: Yeah, I guess I can count on my allergies acting up today. Zoe’s negative outlook is a foil to Ann’s positive outlook. Each character’s viewpoint contrasts with the other’s.

Shakespeare’s Characters • The protagonist in a Shakespearean tragedy is a tragic hero: üA noble or good character üHe/she has a lot to lose. üA flaw or weakness that leads to his/her downfall or death

Tragic Hero Application How does the character in the following passage demonstrate the traits of a tragic hero? Emma had worked long and hard to succeed in the business world, and now she was at the top , running her own billion dollar company, with thousands of employees working for her. Despite her success, she still found herself lacking confidence at times. Emma’s How do you hardknow workthat Evelyn her shows is noble/good? to be noble. Emmadoisyou How successful, know that so Evelyn she hashas a lot to lose? Emma’s What is Evelyn’s lack of flaw or weakness? confidence shows her weakness.

Shakespeare’s Characters • The tragic hero’s flaw or weakness is called a tragic flaw.

Tragic Flaw Application How does the character in the following passage demonstrate a tragic flaw? Emma’s lack of confidence made her afraid to trust anyone, yet left her desperate to prove herself successful. This led her to make a very large and foolish investment, against the advice of everyone around her. Her company went bankrupt, and she lost everything she had. Emma’s How does flaw Evelyn’s makes tragic her desperate flaw bring to about prove her downfall? herself, so she makes a foolish decision, leading to the loss of everything.

Important Plot Elements of Tragedy Death • Shakespeare’s tragedies always end in death. • Sometimes, all of the characters die at the end. • Other times, only the major characters die.

Important Plot Elements of Tragedy Emotion • Shakespeare takes his readers to really highs and really lows. • He tries to make you upset.

Important Plot Elements of Tragedy Catharsis • The audience feels an enormous release of emotion because of Shakespeare’s plots. • This release leaves you emotionally-drained.

Important Plot Elements of Tragedy High Society • Shakespeare’s tragedies centers around high society and the upper class – kings, queens, and nobility.

Important Plot Elements of Tragedy Chance • Everything is nearmisses and coincidences. • The events are out of the control of the characters; their futures lay in someone else’s hands.

Dramatic Elements • dialogue: conversation among characters • monologue: a long speech by one character directed toward at least one other character • soliloquy: a speech given by a character alone on stage – The character can be speaking to himself or to the audience. – A soliloquy lets the audience know the character’s private thoughts and emotions. • aside: a character’s comment, either to the audience or to another character, that other characters on stage do not hear – Also reveals the character’s private thoughts

Dramatic Elements Application Is the following passage an example of dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, or aside? How do you know? Princess: Kiss you? I’m not so sure about that. You’re a frog! Frog: Believe me, you’ll be happy you did! Princess: Well, if you say so. Thereis are This an example two of dialogue. talking to characters each other. How do you know?

Dramatic Elements Application Is the following passage an example of dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, or aside? How do you know? Princess: Royal subjects, I stand here before you today to announce that not only have I found my Prince Charming; I have also learned an important lesson about looking past a person’s—or amphibian’s—outward appearance. I hope that I can be a shining example of how to conduct yourselves. . Thereis isanonly This example one of monologue. character speaking. There is no back-and. How do forth conversation you know? between characters.

Dramatic Elements Application Is the following passage an example of dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, or aside? How do you know? Prince: Phase one of my plan is now complete: I’ve turned from a frog to a human and become engaged to the princess. It won’t be long now before I can begin phase two: total frog domination of the kingdom. This royal palace will be all flies and lily pads when I get through with it. Thereis isanonly This example one of soliloquy. speaking, and character it is pretty clear that Howsharing he’s do you his know? private thoughts and feelings.

Dramatic Elements Application Is the following passage an example of dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, or aside? How do you know? Princess: Oh, darling, I just can’t wait for our wedding. It’s going to be the most beautiful day ever. Prince: Yes, it certainly will be. For her, maybe. Thereis isanmore This example thanof one aside. character on stage, but some of the prince’s How do lines areyou clearly know? not meant to be heard by that other character. Those lines show his private thoughts.

More Dramatic Elements • dramatic convention: a plot idea that audiences accept as realistic even though it is extreme

More Dramatic Elements • The most common dramatic element in Shakespearean tragedy? • dramatic irony: when the audience knows more about what is going to happen than the characters do

More Dramatic Elements • Not all totally depressing and dismal! • Shakespeare also uses comic relief. • comic relief: a humorous scene or incident that relieves tension in a scene.

More Dramatic Elements • Some common ways Shakespeare uses comic relief: –puns: a play on words, sometimes on different meanings of the same word and sometimes on the similar meaning or sound of different words

More Examples of Puns – The best way to stop a charging bull is to take away his credit card. – A zoo had a camel with no humps. His name was “Humphrey. ” – Have you ever heard of an honest cheetah?

Puns Application Where is the play on words in the following passage? Did you ever hear the one about the mushroom who couldn’t get a date? “I don’t know why girls don’t like me…I’m such a fungi!” The play on words, or pun, is on the word “fungi”. The joke is about a mushroom, a fungi, who doesn’t understand why he can’t get a date, because he thinks he’s a “fun guy. ”

More Dramatic Elements –innuendo: an indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad, mean, or rude –double entendre: a double meaning; a word or expression can be understood in two ways, and usually one meaning is risqué (slightly inappropriate).

Poetic Terms • figurative language: language that communicates deeper meanings, beyond the surface meaning of words – simile: a comparison between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” • Example: The girl’s hair was like a rabbit’s fur—soft and fluffy. – metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things that does not use the words “like” or “as; ” a metaphor compares by saying one thing IS another thing. • Example: My mother is a rock—strong and hard to budge. – personification: when human qualities are given to a non-human object • Example: As I wrote, my pencil ran across the page. – hyperbole: a saying where the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect • Example: “I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!”