The+Scottish+Play

Important terms to know:


 * tragedy** - a literary work in which the central character meets an unhappy or disastrous end. Unlike comedy, which often portrays a central character of weak nature, tragedy often involves the problems of a central character of dignified or heroic stature. Above all else, however, the concern of tragedy is with inward action.


 * tragic hero** - main character in a tragedy who is brought to a final downfall; The causes of the character’s downfall vary. In traditional dramas, the cause is often an error in judgement, caused by his "tragic flaw," or a combination of inexplicable outside forces that overwhelm the character. The tragic hero or heroine, though defeated, usually gains a measure of wisdom and/or self-awareness. There may be more than one central character in a tragedy.

Shakespeare was influenced by Aristotle's theory of tragedy: 1) Natural--based upon natural law 2) Organic--it is always growing, changing 3) Mimetic--it is an artistic imitation of life 4) Formal--it is an attempt to define the form of tragedy 5) Holistic--it argues for a certain unity 6) Psychological--it attempts to deal with the social psychology of the audience and the protagonist 7) Therapeutic--it leads to catharsis 8) Paradoxical--it has twists in the plot 9) Experiential--concerned with human experience