Classics in Drama

ENG326

Art and Artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

By: Imran Ali Khan

Lecturer, Department of English
KUST
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Outline

• Introduction

• Tragic hero

• Tragic action or plot

• Conclusion.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Introduction

Tragedy is the noblest form of drama, dignified in language moving the audience in a spiritual

experience arousing in them the element of pity and fear succeeded by serenity of mind.

• The Greek dramatist fixed the character and features of tragedy.

• Tragedy is an exploration of man’s relation to the forces of evil in the world.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Introduction

• Shakespearean tragedy translates a moral vision into dramatic form.

• Shakespeare wrote a number of tragedies different from each other.

• There runs a specific key note in every tragedy: the still sad music of humanity

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Hero

. Story of suffering of a man in high position culminating into his death.

Tragedy consist of plot, character and Thought

• The suffering results from the tragic flaw of the character.

• In Shakespearean tragedies both suffering and death are unexpected

• Role of destiny or circumstances.

• Shakespearean Hero is free in his chioce

Classics in Drama ENG326 –Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST –Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Action
• Shakespearean tragedy represents a conflict which terminates in a catastrophe.

• Tragedy may be divided into three parts:

• The first part expounds the situation

• The second is the growth and the vicissitudes of conflict

• The final part shows the issues of the conflict in a catastrophe

• In Shakespearean Tragedy character is important than action.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Action

• The tragic action is of two types:

• The action is the outcome of the tragic hero.

• The non voluntary actions

• Abnormal condition of mind

• The supernatural element

• Chance.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Action

• Tragic action is of two types

• External and internal

• External may be between two person or groups

• The struggle generally ends with the defeat of the hero.

• The conflict may be within the heart of the hero.

• Conflict of opposing impulses and desires.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Tragic Action

• Tragic action is of two types

• External and internal

• External may be between two person or groups

• The struggle generally ends with the defeat of the hero.

• The conflict may be within the heart of the hero.

• Conflict of opposing impulses and desires.

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk
Topic: Art and artifice of Shakespearean Tragedy

Conclusion

• Shakespearean tragedy translates a moral vision into dramatic form.

• Shakespearean Tragedies are characterized by specific key notes called the Shakespearean conception

of tragedy.

• These are : Tragic hero, Tragic action, and tragic appeal

• Tragic hero is a man dignity, Tragic flaw is responsible for his downfall.

• Tragic action : exposition, beginning, catastrophe

Classics in Drama ENG-326 Instructor: Imran Ali Khan, Lecturer, Department of English, KUST .Email: imranali@kust.edu.pk