Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a timeless tragedy, depicting historical figures but concerning the modern world as well. John Proctor, the protagonist, though fitting several of the characteristics of the Aristotelian tragic hero, is actually a much more complex tragic hero. The primary differences between John Proctor and the classic tragic hero are obvious, such as the lack of noble birth, his not being in a position of leadership, and the inevitability of his fate. These differences are necessary, as Arthur Miller attempts to convince his audience that his protagonist is an everyman and is worth sympathizing for. In Arthur Miller’s more complex world, a more complex tragic hero is needed.
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,” advice that would have served Polonius well. Both L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Shakespeare’s Hamlet had had a common theme, lying and deception. Lies and deceit affect each central character of Shakespeare’s Hamlet as they develop on social, psychological and moral levels. Prince Hamlet, the protagonist, is morally opposed to deception and constantly craves truth. Hamlet's apparent psychological state as the play progresses changes from that of a scholar, to that of a madman, though contradictorily this change is in itself a deceptive act.
The Mode of Tragedy Complicated by Satire in Hamlet Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is a play which portrays tragedy beginning in prosperity and ending in misery. Shakespeare illustrates tragedy though the isolation of the hero, Hamlet not being a well developed or realistic character allows himself to be laughed at. Indeed, the mode of tragedy is complicated by satire due to the actions of the satirical hero. Satirical mode within Hamlet’s actions is targeted through his Hamartia, Inquiry with his madness and Ophelia’s insanity. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, son of the late King and of Gertrude.
In the play the reader can figure out that Macbeth thought a lot of himself. Macbeth was a brave man who thought of himself and others but mostly of himself. The most dominant force of Macbeth’s downfall was the flaws in his own character. Macbeth’s character in the play was very stubborn. This play goes to show the flaws and attributes of Macbeth’s character.
His scene is crucial to the play as it hints at Claudius’s indiscretion and Hamlet’s first outward rejection of Ophelia. It provides an insight to Hamlet’s struggles with life. The themes of the play of questions and mortality are prevalent in this scene. Shakespeare also uses the scene to characterize Hamlet, Claudius and Ophelia. The character of Claudius has been developed in this scene.
These were the words that Queen Gertrude delivered to Ophelia's brother, Laertes, when she took her own life. Many think Hamlet is the most tragic character in the play, but some critics like to think that Ophelia is the most tragic. Ophelia's life is not mentioned often throughout the play, so it is shadowed by the life of Hamlet. Many obstacles that Ophelia faces throughout Shakespeare's tragedy support reasons why she is considered the most tragic character. Ophelia lives in a society ruled by men, faces rejection from the love of her life, and deals with the death of her father.
In Shakespeare’s play, ‘King Lear’, we are shown an array of characters that are multi-dimensional and extremely complex. Shakespeare has the ability to reveal a human character with an exceptional use of language. The three characters that I believe have large roles and functions within the play are, understandably, King Lear himself, The Fool, and Kent. The Fool acts as Lear's conscience and trusted guide, yet he is also a critic of Lear, a truth teller. In effect this makes a true friend, however some believe it was the Fool's constant remarks that drove Lear to madness.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet has and intricate plot formed by the characters and themes throughout it. One major idea is Hamlet’s changing sanity, which fluctuates through the play as a performance and as a true madness. The other main theme which develops the play is the act of vengeance, with the delay and doubt that accompanies it. These themes, along with dramatic devices and the characters in the plot, add to the textual integrity of the play. There is a duality to the character of Hamlet, as his madness changes from a performance to true insanity throughout the play.
But in order to understand the elements that make Macbeth, it is important to analyse the concepts of tragedy. The classical definition of tragedy comes from Aristotle, who states that tragedy is a representation of reality through a complete story. It does not rely in narrative, but in dramatic form and it raises the emotions of fear and pity, promoting a catharsis of them (ARISTOTLE; ACKRILL, 1987, p. 543-544). Additionally, he talks about the tragic hero, a great man who experiences change through misfortune. Aristotle’s theory is suitable to the plays available to him at his time, but it is not enough to embrace all “types of serious plots ending in a catastrophe” that
A tragedy is a story of a person’s demise brought on them by the specific flaws in their character. The “Tragedy of Othello” by William Shakespeare tells a story of deceit and revenge. Othello, the central figure of the play, is a man noble to his country and people. He is an amazing character, a tragic hero, who has befallen to undeserved misfortune and folly. While it may seem, that the tragedy of Othello was caused by the evil villain Iago, I believe that he was not the only one to blame.