Characteristics of Shakespearean tragedies

Plays like Hamlet. Othello, Macbeth and Julius Caesar, among others, created the so-called
Shakespearean tragedies. They are different from classic tragedies. Among their
characteristics, we can find:
● Tragic Hero: main character “cursed by fate”, usually of noble origin (prince,
king, general, etc)

● Struggle between good and evil​: within the plot (conflict between
families, countries, etc) or the main character (he/she fights with him/herself).

● Hamartia: from Greek, it means “to miss the mark” or “to err.” The hero’s
greatest flaw that will lead him to his death.

● Tragic waste: ​the “good” is destroyed with the “bad” at the end. It shows the
unnecessary loss of life.

● External conflict: the greatest problem of the hero. There he/she finds the
reasons for his pain, anger and misfortune.

● Internal conflicts: ​are the product of the external conflict. It’s the confusion
in the hero’s mind that causes his unfortunate ending.

● Catharsis: provoked by the author to make the audience release some

emotions during the play. For example: to empathise with the hero or to enjoy the
villain’s end.

● Supernatural elements: to create an atmosphere of awe, wonder and

fear. Usually, they appear at the beginning of the story to drive the plot.

● Absence of poetic justice: everything ends poorly for everyone, “Just

like in the real world.”

● Comic Relief: ​to relieve the tension for the audience and to lighten the dark
mood of the play. It is performed by small characters in small scenes.