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Match Point

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Match Point
Mr. Howard

ENG4U101

July 20th 2012

Point, Set & Match

What defines what a true tragedy is? A tragedy is often referred as a situation in life where someone has suffered severe misfortune and even death. “Match Point” directed by Woody Allen, stars Chris Wilton, Nola Rice and Chloe Hewett. A.C Bradley, one of the renowned literacy authorities on Shakespearean tragedies made a list of points that defines what a Shakespearean tragedy truly is. With that being said, if “Match Point” was to share similar concepts with Shakespearean tragedies, then it would also be considered a tragedy. Match Point satisfies the elements of tragedy through the concept used in Shakespearean tragedies. This is shown through Chris’ sudden reversal in fortune, the fact that most of his life is hinged upon chance and how Chris himself has a tragic flaw; greed. Throughout the film, Chris is put through a sudden reversal of fortune. The movie starts off with Chris working at a tennis court as a tennis instructor. Chris earns just enough to live by and is able to buy himself a very little apartment in which he pays two hundred and fifty pounds a week. His reversal in fortune starts when he begins to teach Tom Hewett. After going to the opera with Tom and his family Chris starts to date Chloe; Tom’s sister. Chloe gets Chris a job at her father’s firm and Chris starts to become wealthy. This sudden change in Chris’ fortune changes his personality which in turn leads to slow downfall as he starts to realize that with money he is able to do and get whatever he wishes. This is shown through the quote “I can buy us lunch. Put it on the expense account” (Woody Allen- writer/director of modern day films). Here the viewer is shown that Chris does not care about money and that he knows he is able to do what he wishes with it. A.C Bradley’s list of concepts that defines a Shakespearean tragedy includes reversal of fortune as the increase in money causes the mind to change in ways that
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