tragedy greek philosopher aristotle’s definition in poetics: a tragedy, then, is the imitation of...
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TragedyGreek philosopher
Aristotle’s definition in Poetics:
A tragedy, then, is the imitation of an action that
is serious and also,
Tragedy…as having magnitude,
complete in itself; in language with pleasurable
accessories,
Tragedy…each kind brought in
separately in the parts of the work; in a dramatic, not in a
narrative form;
Tragedy…with incidents arousing
pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of
such emotions.
Literary DefinitionTragedy is a type of drama or literature that shows the
downfall or destruction of a noble or outstanding
person,
Literary Definition
…traditionally one who possesses a character
weakness called a tragic flaw.
Literary Definition
The tragic hero, through choice or circumstance, is caught up in a sequence of events that inevitably
results in disaster.
Literary DefinitionBecause the protagonist is neither a wicked villain nor
an innocent victim, the audience reacts with
mixed emotions – both pity and fear.
Literary Definition
The outcome of a tragedy, in which the protagonist is
isolated from society,
Literary Definition
…contrasts with the happy resolution of a comedy, in
which the protagonist makes peace with society.
Two important factors in tragedy:
(1)The role of chance or
fate.
Two important factors in tragedy:
(2) The hero’s tragic flaw – some character defect that helps to bring about his downfall; otherwise,
Two important factors in tragedy:
…he would be afflicted with entirely
underserved suffering.
Two important factors in tragedy:
The hero has ordinary human failings or
limitations and falls short of ultimate perfection.
Shakespearean Tragedies
Structure of a Tragedy
Structure of a Tragedy
All of Shakespeare’s
plays have 5 acts.
Structure of a Tragedy
Act I Act V
Act III
Act II Act IV
Exposition
Structure of a Tragedy
Act I Act V
Act III
Act II Act IVRising Action (w/inciting incident)
Structure of a Tragedy
Act I Act V
Act III
Act II Act IVClimax
Structure of a Tragedy
Act I Act V
Act III
Act II Act IVFalling Action
Structure of a Tragedy
Act I Act V
Act III
Act II Act IV
Catastrophe
Shakespearean Heroes
Are exceptional beings in that they are persons of high degree or public
importance.
(Often kings or military leaders.)
Shakespearean Heroes
Their downfalls have great consequences, often affecting the welfare of
whole nations.
Shakespearean Heroes
Cause their own downfalls; the calamities do not just happen by accident, nor
are they sent from above. Rather, they proceed from
the hero’s own actions.
Shakespearean Heroes
Possess a flaw in their character.
(Tragic Flaw)
Elizabethan Universe
Chain of Being
Medieval people
believed that God created the world
and…
…placed everything
from angels to animals in
careful order
under Him.
Any violation of any part of the chain of
being was a destructive act that could impair
the whole.
Therefore violence done to a king or by a king could throw the universe into chaos.
Macbeth is a play which is loosely
based upon actual events.
Historical Background
The action of Macbeth is set in 11th
century Scotland and
England.
The real Macbeth ruled as king of
Scotland from 1040-
1057.
He did overthrow Duncan, but Duncan
was a poor king to the point of being a tyrant and a military failure.
After Duncan’s death, Macbeth was elected as king of Scotland.
Glamis Castle,Scotland
Shakespeare had little regard for
historical fact…
Poetic License
…and was more
interested in writing for dramatic
entertainment.
Macbeth was almost certainly
written to be performed in front
of James I,
…so he included several elements of special interest to
the king.
Absolutism or Absolute Monarchy
• Definition: is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch has absolute power among his or her people.
• An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political power over the sovereign stateand its people. Absolute monarchies are often hereditary but other means of transmission of power are attested.
Counterbalance? Not always.
• The absolute monarch exercises total power over the land, yet in practice the monarchy is counterbalanced by political groups from among the social classes and castes of the realm, such as the aristocracy, clergy, and middle and lower classes.
• Countries where the monarch still maintains absolute power are Brunei,Qatar,[3Oman,[ Saudi Arabia,[ Swaziland, the emirates comprising the UAE,[and Vatican City.[8]
History Examples:Historical examples
Throughout much of European history, the divine right of kings was the theological justification for absolute monarchy. Russia, claimed supreme autocratic power by divine right, and that their subjects had no rights to limit their power. James VI of Scotland (later also James I of England) and his son Charles I of Scotland and England tried to import this principle.
King James I's Signature
King James’ Notable Quotes‘[Smoking is] hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and dangerous to the lungs.” – King James I
’I can make a lord, but only God can make a gentleman’ – King James I
’Kings are justly called gods for they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth’ – King James I
Timeline: King James I England1603 -1604
Timeline for King James I
1603 James VI of Scotland becomes King James I of England, Scotland, and Ireland after the death of Elizabeth I uniting the thrones of Scotland and England.
1603 The Millenary Petition is presented to James I. It expresses Puritan desires for reforms to the Church of England.
1603 Plot against James to set his cousin Arabella Stuart on the throne. Sir Walter Raleigh is implicated and imprisoned.
1604 The Somerset House Peace Conference results in peace between England and Spain.
1604 The Hampton Court Conference fails to settle the doctrinal differences between the Anglican Church and its Puritan critics.
1604 James proclaims that smoking is harmful to the lungs and imposes a tax on tobacco
1605-1611 1605 Guy Fawkes and other Catholic dissidents attempt to blow up King and
Parliament in The Gunpowder Plot. They are betrayed and arrested.
1606 The Gunpowder plotters are executed. 120 colonists sail for America.
1607 The Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel end their rebellion against English rule of Ireland and flee to Europe; Ulster is colonized by Protestant settlers from Scotland and England.
1607 The English Parliament rejects Union with Scotland. 1607 Common citizenship of English and Scottish persons is granted to those born
after the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne.
1607 Jamestown found in America by the Virginia company 1609 Scottish and English Protestants are encouraged to settle in Ulster
1609 Shakespeare completes the Sonnets. 1611 The King James Authorized Version of the Bible is published.
1611 Dissolution of the first Parliament of James I.
1612-1625 1612 Heretics are burned at the stake for the last time in England. 1613 James' daughter Elizabeth marries Frederick V, Elector of Palatine. Their
descendants in House of Hanover will eventually inherit the British Throne. 1613 The Globe Theatre in London burns during a performance of Henry III 1614 Second Parliament of James I meets. 1614 Scottish mathematician John Napier publishes his theory of logarithms
simplifying calculations for navigators. 1615 George Villiers becomes James’s favourite. 1616 Playwright –William Shakespeare’ dies. 1616 Raleigh is released from prison to lead an expedition to Guiana in search of El
Dorado 1617 George Villiers becomes the Earl of Buckingham. 1618 Raleigh fails in his expedition and on his return is executed for alleged treason
at Westminster. 1620 The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in the Mayflower. They land at Cape
Cod and found New Plymouth. 1625 Death of James I, aged 58.
James I claimed to be descended from
Banquo.
In focusing on Macbeth, a figure
from Scottish history, Shakespeare paid homage to his
king’s Scottish lineage.
It was also well known that James had a fascination of the occult and
witches in particular.
Macbeth is a psychological drama,
… which explores the capacity of humans to be
affected by external forces.
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this
way comes. Macbeth Act IV,i,44-45
The Weird Sisters
Wyrd:
The Anglo Saxon word for Fate.
Watch for the mood they set
for the play.
The Weird Sisters
Watch for who is controlling
whom.
The Weird Sisters
Fate vs. Freewill
Ideas
Vaulting Ambition
(Tragic Flaw)
Ideas
Equivocation(Saying one thing; meaning another.)
Ideas
Gender and Power
Ideas
Use of ParadoxEx. "Fair is foul, and
foul is fair."
Motifs
Use ofAnimal
References
Motifs
Use ofSupernatural
Motifs
Blood
Symbol
Dagger
Symbol
Light/Dark
Imagery
Color
Imagery
(Red and blackare the colors to
watch!)
“False face must hide what false
heart doth know.”
Lines to listen for
“I have done the deed.”
Lines to listen for
“Bloodwill
haveblood.”
Lines to listen for
“Double, double, toil and
trouble…”
Lines to listen for
Where have you heard that before?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0vwJL3gjzw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE6TY6nOLn8
“Out, damned spot! Out, I
say!”
Lines to listen for
And now…
Act I, scene I
A barren,misty heath
in Scotland.
Thunder and
lightning.
Enter Three
Witches.