Elements of shakespearean Drama!

During Shakespeare’s career, he wrote over 150 plays and sonnets (poems). His plays

explore a variety of genres and universal themes- which is why

many people find his works relevant to life today. While the language he uses may be dead

to you, the story, characters, and themes are very much

alive in today’s world.

Shakespearean Tragedy

A tragedy is a drama that results in catastrophe--most often death--for the main characters.

CharactersCharacter types of a dramatic

tragedy

× The protagonist, or central character× Usually fails, or dies, because of a fatal flaw or cruel

twist of fate

× Fatal Flaw: a quality of a character’s personality that leads to his or her downfall

Tragic hero

Antagonist

× The adversary or hostile force of the protagonist

× Can be a character, group of characters, or a non-human entity

Foil Character× A character whose personality and attitude contrast

sharply with those of another character× Emphasizes another character’s attributes and

traits. Often a foil character is opposite of the protagonist or antagonist or a minor character.

ConventionsQualities of the drama genre

× A speech given by a character alone in which you gain insights to the character and events of the play

× Exposes a character’s thoughts and feelings to the audience

Soliloquy

× A character’s remark that others on stage do no hear

× Reveals the character’s private thoughts

Aside

× When the audience knows more than the characters

× Helps to build suspense

Dramatic Irony

× A humorous scene or speech intended to relieve tension

Comic Relief