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Shakespeare’s tragedies. Andra Prems XI B. Shakespeare’s tragedies. Shakespeare wrote tragedies from the beginning of his career Tragedies appeared during his pessimistic period when he transformed from a merry story-teller into a severe critic and judge
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Shakespeare’s tragedies Andra Prems XI B
Shakespeare’s tragedies • Shakespeare wrote tragedies from the beginning of his career • Tragedies appeared during his pessimistic period when he transformed from a merry story-teller into a severe critic and judge • One of his earlies plays was Titus Andronicus • His most admired tragedies were written between 1601 and 1608
Tragedies and characters • Shakespeare had faith in man’s virtue • Evil forces are victorious only to a certain point • In the end good always wins • Charaters have universal personalities • They are real, ordinary, live men
“Heart” tragedies • “Heart” tragedies involve a pair lovers torn apart by fate and society • Romeo and Juliet • Antony and Cleopatra
“Head tragedies” • “Head” tragedies feature fatally-flawed protagonist fully capable of free will who unfortunately has his good traits overcome by ego • Defined by their relationship to Greek philosopher Aristotle’s theories of dramatic tragedy • Titus Andronicus • Hamlet • Macbeth • King Lear
Heart/head borderline • Some of Shakespeare’s tragedies are considered to be boderline heart/head tragedies as they combine elements of both genres • Othello • Troilus and Cressida
List of tragedies by William Shakespeare • Romeo and Juliet • King Lear • Hamlet • Macbeth • Othello • Julius Caesar • Antony and Cleopatra • Coriolanus • The History of Troilus and Cressida • The Life of Timon of Athens • Titus Andronicus • Cymbeline
Philosophical drama, the tragedy of a humanist Yound Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius Believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601 Shakespeare’s longest and most frequently performed plays Hamlet
Tragedy about two young lovers One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays Romeo and Juliet
Othello revolves around four central characters: Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, trusted ensign lago. Racism, love, jealousy, betrayal Othello