Download tragic flaw - Joshua ISD

BACKGROUND
• Renaissance England became interested in classical plays
(Greek and Roman).
• Comedies – happy ending, not necessarily humorous
• Tragedies – main character (the tragic hero) comes to an
unhappy end
• Shakespeare also wrote histories and romances.
THE GREEK PHILOSOPHER ARISTOTLE
DEFINED TRAGEDY AS:
• Arousing pity for the hero
• Arousing fear in all human beings (who are subject to an
unknown destiny)
• Producing cleansing of the emotions (catharsis)
CLASSIC TRAGEDY CHARACTERISTICS
• Tragic hero comes to an unhappy end
• Tragic hero is important in society (nobleman, king, etc.)
• Tragic hero has a tragic flaw, or a weakness of character
• Antagonist contributes to the hero’s downfall
• Tragic resolution occurs at the end
• Tragic hero recognizes his tragic flaw by the end and gains the
sympathy of the audience
• Tragic hero meets his doom with courage and dignity
LITERARY TECHNIQUES USED BY
SHAKESPEARE
• Soliloquy – a speech a character gives alone on stage in
order to reveal his thoughts to the audience.
• Aside – a remark made in an undertone to the audience or
another character. Others onstage are not supposed to hear
it.
SETTING AND THEMES
• Setting - seventeenth century Venice, Italy, and Cyprus
(island off the coast of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea). The
Turks are the enemies of Venice.
• Themes –
• Appearance vs. Reality (Do we ever really know another
person?)
• Society’s treatment of the outsider
• Jealousy is a destructive emotion
MAIN CHARACTERS IN OTHELLO
Othello – Moor (Northern African) who is a professional soldier who is
employed by Venice as general of its forces. He is sometimes called
General and sometimes Captain, and he is greatly respected.
Desdemona – Venetian Lady whose father is a senator. She is of the
nobility.
Iago – lower class, serves as ancient (ensign) or flag-bearer, which
is third in command to Othello
Roderigo – Gentleman from Venice, landowner, and rich. He wants to
marry Desdemona.
Cassio – Gentleman, member of the nobility from Florence,
educated, lieutenant, which is second in command to Othello, and
Othello’s friend
Emilia – Lower class, servant to Desdemona, wife of Iago
Brabantio – Desdemona’s father and a senator