Tragedy Flashcards
“The imitation of an action that is serious… complete in itself.”
Good tragedy deals with one issue that is very serious.
“in language with pleasurable accessories..”
Language and writing should have rhythmand harmony, especially if the lines are meant to be sung.
“…in a dramatic rather than narrative form..”
must be acted out!
“…with incidents arousing pity or fear”
You MUST feel sorry for or afraid for the sad hero as he moves toward a bad end.
“wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of emotions..”
Catharsis is a way for feelings to be released and cleaned up.
As the play goes on, the audience should feel more and more, and when the hero dies, they should let go.
Elements of Tragedy
Plot, Character, Thought, Diction, Melody and Spectacle
Peripeteia
reversal of circumstance
Discovery
switch from not knowing to knowing
important characters should have 4 main qualities
- No matter who they are, they must be good in some way.
- The characters should act appropriately to their gender and situation in life.
- They must have a believable personality.
- They must act consistently throughout the play.
When does Macbeth take place? Is this a real story?
It takes place during the 11th century in Scotland.
who’s related to Macbeth in reality?
connected to the king at the time, James I.
- obsessed with sorcery and magic.
- opposed regicide (killing a king).
- He wrote a book about it before he became king, and it came out after he became king.
- - Shakespeare deals with this topic in the play.
What’s a Pathetic Fallacy?
weather reflects the mood you are feeling
why is macbeth a tragedy play
Macbeth is a classic tragedy because the main character follows a dark road of betrayal and violence that leads to his own downfall and death.
