Characteristics Of A Shakespearean Tragedy - 1716 Words

Characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy: (Identify three and give an example/connection from Hamlet and a short explanation of the importance) 1. A central character who has status and prosperity A defining characteristic of Shakespearean tragedies is a powerful and high ranking protagonist. Hamlet fits this bill perfectly, being the crown prince of the kingdom of Denmark and thus wielding enormous power. One of the reasons why protagonists of Shakespearean tragedies are characters of status, is because the higher they start out, the farther they can fall. In this case, Hamlet’s high status only makes his fall even more dramatic, and the death of his entire family is all the more important because they are the royal family. Without status or prosperity, the entire conflict would have had little dramatic significance; after all, what is the big deal about another dead serf? Instead, by making Hamlet a crown prince, the conflicts, like Claudius killing his own brother, are made grand and pivotal on the global scale, helping to amplify the drama and importance of every issue that arises. 2. The protagonist’s fall also brings about the demise of others Hamlet’s dramatic fall not only ended in his death, but also the death of Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius, Gertrude and Claudius. This is characteristic of Shakespearean tragedies, where a protagonist’s fall not only impacts him, but also brings down others. In Hamlet’s case, his personal conflict andShow MoreRelatedRomeo and Juliet: Examining Characteristics of the Shakespearean Tragedy1467 Words   |  6 Pagesincludes tragedies. Today, people have a much different definition of tragedies than people did then. When we hear the word tragedy, we immediately think of a large number of innocent deaths. But is it the same as it was before? No, of course not. 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