Shakespearean Tragedy Tragedy Write a list of books
Shakespearean Tragedy
Tragedy Write a list of books or films you believe can be classified as Tragedy?
Tragedy l l l l Million Dollar Baby Unforgiven English Patient Donnie Darko Titanic One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest Leaving Les Vegas And of course the greatest tragedy in film history…
l. Revenge of the Sith
Tragedy l Tragedy is specifically a dramatic form
Tragedy l Tragedy n. , pl. -dies. A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. l A narrative work that portrays or depicts calamitous events and has an unhappy but meaningful ending. l [Middle English tragedie, from Old French, from Latin tragoedia, from Greek tragōidiā : tragos, goat + aoidē, ōidē, song. ] l l http: //www. answers. com/topic/tragedyflaw
Classic Tragedy l In Classic tragedy the world of the play, its laws, rules and conventions determine the fate of the protagonist. The individual is situated, placed in a world where he/ she has no control or power over the forces that govern their being. Once their fate is played out the order of the universe rights itself and thus they achieve a level of redemption. This is called catharsis.
Tragedy l Shakespeare was affected by the classic tradition but he consistently departed from received conventions and aimed for a more sophisticated realism.
Shakespearean Tragedy l In Shakespearean tragedy, the protagonist is autonomous (has their own power over themselves); he posses one that determines his reasoning and his actions. This thinking and actions, his moral culpability resonates into and directly affects the word around him. Because of this chain reaction little or no redemption is possible. It falls to others to right the world.
Shakespearean Tragedy Shakespeare places more emphasis on character than on fate. Unlike the classic tragedy, Shakespearean tragedy often denies its audience cathartic relief. l In Macbeth, for example, recognition of the protagonists tragic flaw is not followed by redemption. l Shakespeare’s tragedies suggest that catastrophe ultimately proceeds from his characters actions l
Tragedy l In both, the protagonists are powerful, larger than life, also posses one flaw that proves to be the catalyst of their downfall.
Tragedy l The Question can be asked- is Macbeth a tragic hero?
Tragedy The classic concept of a tragic hero demands that the tragedy involve a noble character of flawless morals, except a single tragic flaw. l The tragic hero chooses to indulge his tragic flaw, fully aware of the consequences of his choice, thereby he dams himself: -But, in these cases, We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th’ inventor: (I. vii. 7 - 10) Undoubtedly Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his pride and his unbridled lust for power coupled with his propensity for violence. l
Tragedy l However, it could be argued that Macbeth is merely a pawn of supernatural forces. Is it not the Weird Sisters that initially influence and control Macbeth’s fate? The word weird is derived from the Old English Wyrd, which meant “fate”. Witch 1 Ay, Sir, all this is so: - but why Stands Macbeth thus amazedly? Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, And show the best of our delights. I’ll charm the air to give a sound, While you perform your antic round; That this great King may kindley say, Our duties did his welcome pay. (IV. i. 125 -130)
Tragedy l However, it could also be argued that Lady Macbeth is indeed responsible for his downfall. Her influence and power over husband specifically determines his actions. Lady Macbeth is able to pressure her husband into committing an act by striking at the heart of his manly pride: Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour, As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ” Like the poor cat I’ the adage? (I. vii. 39 -45)
Tragedy What do you think? l Is Macbeth an author of his own downfall or is he indeed a puppet, manipulated by others? l
Tragedy l Whatever the interpretation maybe, the heart of the tragedy is that Macbeth is aware that his actions will in the end destroy him, yet he decides to commit the deeds anyway; not merely from the influence of others, but because of the human condition, because of human fragility. Macbeth allows pride to blind him from the inevitable consequence of his actions, to satisfy self-gratification in the present even though in the future guilt, regret and his ultimate destruction will be the consequence. The supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill; cannot be good: - if ill Why hath it given me earnest sucesss, Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor: If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, And make my seated heart knock at my ribs Against the use of nature? (I. iii. 130 -137)
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