2.1.3
Tragedy
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Tragedy
In the past (particularly in the Greek and Roman Classical period, and in the Age of Shakespeare), tragedies often present the fall of high-status characters: for example, Kings, Emperors, Princes or Generals.
Status
- The idea was that with a high-status character, they have so much further to fall than a lower status character.
- In effect, they have more to lose, whether it is their reputation, a love, respect, command or power.
Tragic flaw
- The general idea is that one or more of the characters have a tragic flaw (something in their make up or character) that is problematical.
- Usually, another character (often a tragic villain) tries to find weakness or the main character’s flaw, and aims to exploit that.
Spiral of tragedy
- Once that tragic flaw has been identified, then very often the main character steps into a spiral of tragedy which they find it difficult to escape from.
- They tend to blame everyone else but themselves.
Tragedy
In most tragedies, chaos results because the main character makes a set of poor decisions.
Chaos
- These decisions not only impact upon them, but also wider society and other characters around them.
- The chaos reaches its climax when something happens which is impossible to change.
Remorse
- Only then does the main character reflect on what they have done, and they gain insight into their experiences.
- They are usually filled with remorse and either are killed by a heroic figure or kill themselves because they can no longer face what they have become.
Modern tragedies
- In modern tragedies, the characters do not have to be as grand as a King or a Prince but they often still have a particular status in the society in which they operate.
- They can still have a tragic flaw. It may also be the case that the wider society is tragic because the text is set in a particular era or time period.
Tragic heroes and society
- Very often, the tragic hero will find themselves at odds with the society around them, so that they do not quite fit. Sometimes a character tries to rise too quickly in a society and pays the price for their ambition.
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
Jump to other topics
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
Practice questions on Tragedy
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- 2The Unfolding of Chaos in Tragedies Put in order
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