SH+P4+Tragedy

1. 2. Savannah Hutchings 3. Aim 4. Tragedy is a type of writing or a type of storytelling. According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, tragedy is “ A serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror” (Tragedy). There are many forms of tragedy, such as medieval or Shakespearean, but all of them serve the same purpose and that is to tell the story of death or struggle. A Shakespearean tragedy, which is the focus with Macbeth, is known to end in death. According to Dr. Wickes, “Defeat, shattered hopes, and ultimately death face us all as human beings. They are very real, but somehow we have the intuitive feeling that they are out of place. They seem to be intruders into life. Tragic literature confronts us afresh with this paradox and we become fascinated by it” (The Essence of). Overall, the goal of tragedy, especially Shakespearean tragedy, is to help the reader find a connection with deeper topics such as death and heartbreak. Tragedy makes them seem more real, and more easily accessible than they are otherwise considered. It offers a connection to what is feared the most.

"The Essence of Shakespearean Tragedy." //The Essence of Shakespearean Tragedy//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. "Tragedy About Our Definitions: All Forms of a Word (noun, Verb, Etc.) Are Now Displayed on One Page." //Merriam-Webster//. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.

1. 2. Gabriel Kardos 3. Historical 4. Tragedies have existed long before Shakespeare. Aeschylus, the son of Euphorion the Athenian, is considered the father of tragedies. He was born in Eleusis around 525 BC and died in Gela in 456 BC. Only seven of Aeschylus’s works survived to today fully intact. Even so, Thespis is considered the inventor thereof, being the “first to stage a tragedy” (Britannica) in 534 BC. William Shakespeare composed several tragedies including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. Tragedies developed rapidly during the times of Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare, Calderon, Corneille, and Racine. It is considered as invented “by the Dorians in parts of Peloponnesus” (theatrehistory.com), according to Aristotle in his Poetics. Tragedies were inspired solely from the Greek deity Dionysus and eager worshippers.

Lahanas, Michael. "Aeschylus (525/4 - 456 BC)." Aeschylus the Father of Tragedy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2012 Ridgeway, William. "The Origin of Tragedy: Introduction." The Origin of Tragedy: Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1915. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. "Thespis". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2012

1.

2. Cheyenne kaye 3. Audience 4. The term ‘Tragedy’ has an intended audience. The intended audience of tragedy is theater. A tragedy has been defined "a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror" (Meriam Webster). Especially, if the audience identifies themselves as the under dog, or the tragic hero of the play or story, which can bring an audience to feel closer & feel more relatable to the story (Tragedy). The genre of tragedy is made to make its audience release emotion through the character and their words & actions (Internet Shakespeare).

"Tragedy" //Merriam-Webster//. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. . "Tragedy." //Tragedy//. N.p., 12 Mar. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. . "Aristotle on Greek Tragedy." //Internet Shakespeare//. N.p., 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/drama/classical%