Nature of tragedy
The Nature of Tragedy
Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare's four greatest tragedies, the other being Hamlet, King Lear and Othello.
In Shakespeare’s time the word ‘tragedy’ had a very precise meaning - it involved the fall of a great man either through forces beyond his control or by his own error, often resulting in death. It was the nature of this fall from greatness that was considered ‘tragic’
What does the word ‘tragedy’ mean to you?
Things that are sad or to do with death, revenge, accidents, darkness.
Write down ten words and five events that you associate with tragedy.
Words:
- Darkness
- Harm
- Death
- War
- Terrorism
- Revenge
- Betrayal
- Pain
- Accidents
- Retribution
Events:
- Car crashes
- Loss of life
- Betrayal of family or friends
- Fall of a great man
Web definitions of ‘tragedy’:
Calamity: an event resulting in a great loss or misfortune
Drama in which the protagonist is overcome by superior force or circumstances
A drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.
A disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury
Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil
He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night
There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells and ghosts)
The Real Macbeth
When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1906, James l, had been the King of England for three years.
He had previously been James Vl of Scotland. King James symbolised the union of the Scottish and English crowns, a unions to which Shakespeare refers in the play.
It was well know that the new king was fascinated by witchcraft; Shakespeare might have been trying to win his approval by introducing the figures ‘three weird sisters’ into the play.
Macbeth was the first
Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare's four greatest tragedies, the other being Hamlet, King Lear and Othello.
In Shakespeare’s time the word ‘tragedy’ had a very precise meaning - it involved the fall of a great man either through forces beyond his control or by his own error, often resulting in death. It was the nature of this fall from greatness that was considered ‘tragic’
What does the word ‘tragedy’ mean to you?
Things that are sad or to do with death, revenge, accidents, darkness.
Write down ten words and five events that you associate with tragedy.
Words:
- Darkness
- Harm
- Death
- War
- Terrorism
- Revenge
- Betrayal
- Pain
- Accidents
- Retribution
Events:
- Car crashes
- Loss of life
- Betrayal of family or friends
- Fall of a great man
Web definitions of ‘tragedy’:
Calamity: an event resulting in a great loss or misfortune
Drama in which the protagonist is overcome by superior force or circumstances
A drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.
A disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury
Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil
He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night
There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells and ghosts)
The Real Macbeth
When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1906, James l, had been the King of England for three years.
He had previously been James Vl of Scotland. King James symbolised the union of the Scottish and English crowns, a unions to which Shakespeare refers in the play.
It was well know that the new king was fascinated by witchcraft; Shakespeare might have been trying to win his approval by introducing the figures ‘three weird sisters’ into the play.
Macbeth was the first