CHAPTER - ONE

Introduction :
"Renaissance" was a period of fundamental change. The term Renaissance is popularly
known as the Revival of learning and Knowledge which marked the end of the Dark
Ages and begining of the modern world. The Renaissance gave in human outlook which
was dominated by religious dogma and Christian theology. The Renaissance creates a
new spirit of individualism which is manifested in the yearning of knowledge and
learning. It also emphasised the love of beauty and sky-high ambition and supreme lust
power and pelf in man.

Background :
From 1578 to, we notice the maturing of English Renaissance and its massive expression
in different literature, poetry, fiction and drama. The begining of the Renaissance can be
traced in the late 70's of the century. The rediscovery of classical learning was started by
petrarch in the 14th Century in Italy. He was very fond of latin classics and encouraged
others to study the classics. In 1453 after the fall of the then Constantinople (The capital
city of the Byzantine empire and the centre of classical learning.) scholars of classics
started to leave that city and came to Italy. Florence (one state of Italy) became the centre
of classical learning. It lit the lamp of the Renaissance. From there it spread to France,
Germany, Holland and England. In every field Renaissance shows some peculiar
characteristics having some common thing. For these historians termed them differently
as Italian Renaissance, French Renaissance and English Renaissance. William.
Shakespeare is the man of English Renaissance.

Explanation of the topic:

The Renaissance was in essence an intellectual rebirth. It does not only mean the rebirth
of classical learning, it also means an awakening of the minds of men. The process
started with the hand of Chaucer and reached its completion during the Elizabethan
period. Some historical events that mobilize the progress of the English Renaissance
were the invention of printing press by William Caxton in 1476 and Copernicus theory
(1473-1543) which proved the sun as the centre of all planets. In 1492 Columbus
discovered America and Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498.

1
The Renaissance worked as the chief force in building the modern European literatures
and made the Elizabethan Age wonderfully fertile, productive and splendid. It is said that
the regular English drama was the product of the Renaissance which fired men's mind
with enthusiasm for everything belonging to the classical antiequity. It is true for all
dramatists. In case of William Shakespeare, there is nothing exception. It is needed to
add that he is considered as the finest poet of the world having extra ordinary merit and
power to present the complexity of human life in a fitful manner. The mystery and
sentiment as well as many feelings for coming into existence find full expression through
his pen. He has a deep insight of prophet like vision of human nature. According to
William Hazlit, "He had a mind reflecting ages past and present." Mr. Thomson King, an
American engineer, writes of him as the Master Builder of word structures. The spirit of
Renaissance works as an important foci behind his success. Like the Greek tragedians he
composed rare and the most brilliant tragic works in the history of English literature. He
represents the climax of the English Renaissance.

The aim and objective of the paper :

This paper title "The Renaissance elements in Shakespearean Tragedies "has been pre
pare as a partial requirement for the M.A. Final course instructed by National University,
Its aim is to get introduce with the conception of Renaissance, its elements, tragedy, the
concept of Shakespearean tragedy and to find out Renaissance elements in
Shakespearean tragedies. In this paper their propriety has been justified

2
 CHAPTER - TWO

Conceptual Explanation :

Although in the preceding part of the paper we have a glance over the terms of the topic,
here again I want to define them precisely to elaborate and support the idea. Methinks, it
will be more helpful to justify its rationality.

The Definition of Tragedy :

The term Tragedy is Greek in origin and the best from among the classical literature. The
dentition of tragedy has changed over time. The Greek Philosopher, Aristotle was the first
who define it fundamentally in his famous "Poetics". According to him tragedy must
involves the reversal of fortunes of a powerful person from good to bed due to 'hamartia' or
'tragic flaw' of the protagonist. He also insisted that tragedy must create a sense of fear and
pity in the viewer or audience, which can then lead to catharsis or purification of soul.

According to NTC's Dictionary of LITERARY TERMS by Kahtleen Morner and Ralph

Rausch, tragedy is -
Broadly, a serious work of FICTION, especially a DRAMA, that presents the downfall
of its PROTAGONIST, a person "better than ourselves", who though some error in
judgment, weakness of character, or twist of fate suffers crushing defeat or death.

William Shakespeare, a dramatist and poet of English Renaissance is one of the leading
authors of tragic plays in the history of English literature. He was not a philosopher but a
dramatic poet and just wrote and just wrote for the stage. He got the clue of high tragedy
from eminent classical scholars and tragedians. He studied Greek tragedy's style and
used several Greek themes, modified them to his own purpose. He intentionally violates
the three unities - Unity of time ; unity of place ; unity of action, which are essential for
tragedy proposed by Aristotle. He blends the nation of tragedy with moral values of
Renaissance and established a new style of his own. In every leaf of his drama especially
the tragedies we find the full expression of those feeling s and thoughts of human being
which none can think or even imagine.

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Shakespeare's concept of Tragedy :

Shakespeare's concept of tragedy was based on medievalism but not strict. He is liberal
in mind like the Renaissance scholars and uses Renaissance elements according to his
own need. According to A.C. Bradly. Shakespearean tragedy may be called a story of
exceptional calamity leading to the death of a man in high estate. Similar to Greek
tragedians Shakespeare's tragedy is concerned with the fate of persons of 'high position'
having national importance. So that the tragedy may have powerful tragic effect on
readers mind. Unlike the Greek tragedies where the hero is the scapegoat of a mocking
destiny, Shakespearean tragic hero is the author of his own woes and sudden fall. The
causes of tragedy is some fatal flaw in the character of the hero or the heroine. It leads
him to the dust from his high position and this fall causes pity and fear in the minds of
the audience. Another aspect of Shakespeare's tragedies that it represents the conflict
between good and evil. It shows the sacrifices of good and the ultimate penalties of the
evil in the long run. He approaches the great issues of human life from many angels, with
different manner in his tragedies. In all of his tragedies there rains a common aspects that
is the music of humanity the most notable tragedies of Shakespeare are Hamlet ;
Macbeth ; othello ; king lear ; Julius ; Caesar ; Romeo and Juliet ; Antony and Cleopatra.

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The Definition of Renaissance :
The term "Renaissance" seems to have been first used by French historian Jules Michelit
in his Historic de France Published in 1855. Renaissance means rebirth (Re-again,
naissance = birth). According to NTCS Dictionary of LITERARY TERMS by Kathleen
Morner and Ralph Rausch, Renaissance is -

The historical period following the MIDDLE AGES, beginning in Italy as early as the
thirteenth century, arriving in England in the fifteenth century, and ending early in the
seventeenth century. The rediscovery of classic literature, particularly that of Greece,
renewed the idea that human existence was not just painful preparation for an of afterlife
but had interest and value in itself. This new HUMANISM was supported and found
expression in burgeoning of creative activity in literature, commercial and political
expansion. The Renaissance saw many notable authors (Dante, Petrarch, Rabelais,
Michel Montaigne, Miguel de Cervantes, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe,
William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Donne) ; artists and musicians
(Michelangelo, Raphel, Leonardo do da Vinic, Claudio Monteverdi, Herny
Purcel) ........... , The Renaissance is given credit for ushering in the modern world.

From above description, we find a clear vision of Renaissance. In England Renaissance

arrived in the fifteenth century. Before its arrival people were fed up with the rigid and
restricted religious dogma and social tyranny of the medieval period. In Medical
Viewpoint, God is the only supreme being with power and the one who determines every
person's fate and the individual is weak. Their life is bound only with the thought of God,
heaven and hell. and church is the supreme authority recognized by God can control the
religious as well as overall activities of human being. There is no liberty of man for
anything even for taking any decision of himself Medievalism defies all worldly matter
that was not Christian. Man's mind can fined with the frame of medieval scholasticism
consisted not in discovery but based on the established principles and traditions of divine
and ecclesiastical authority. Everywhere there was darkness and no light for improving
man's intellect, imagination and therefore no new invention. Just as the rising sun awake
the sleeping man Renaissance entered with all the hopes and chances for eating the
demands of men. With the touch of Renaissance they started to defy all the medieval

5
beliefs, tradition and values and openly questions the role of divinity in the welfare of
human being and society. Rather they embraced the Renaissance and overbooked the
code of Ancient Greek and Roman's civilization. Then established a new trend and style,
new art and ideals of their own later termed as English Renaissance.

Renaissance Elements :
The properties of English Renaissance include a renewed interest in classical antiquities;
passion for scholarly research ; a break away from Medievalism or distaste for Middle
Ages ; love for humanism and individualism ; striking change in the field of religion,
politics, science, love of rhetoric, love for life and beauty ; love for war ; spirit of
adventure ; desire to equal or surpass the literature of the ancients ; thirst for knowledge,
power and wealth ; desire to achieve the impossible and to gain material ambition.

Besides these English Renaissance experienced certain additional characteristics which

were so special that the then, writers used abundantly in their works. Such as,
Renaissance Feminism and Renaissance masculinity which directed quality as well as
position of men and women in the society. Courage, Imagination, knowledge, intellect,
ability all the heroic quality deserved by the man of Renaissance which make him
dominant over women. Here women are expected to be silent, obedient and helpful as
well as subservient to men. They have no power and independence and considered to be
inferior to men.

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Renaissance Influence on Shakespeare's Tragedies :
Renaissance had applied its influence over Shakespeare and his works. It had brought an
intense love for classical literature and scholarly research in the minds of Elizabethan
people. This trend is found in the character of Hamlet, the hero of Shakespeare's famous
tragedy of the same name. He always tried to find the meaning and scientific explanation
of everything around hm. The Elizabethan people started to invest their wealth for
possessing the classical antiques or relics, thinking it as a matter of pride. Who couldn't
do so at least satisfied themselves by supporting or giving financial aid to the poor and
wealth less literacy activist to continue their study. it was called patronage Shakespeare a
man of little wealth continued his peculation and created unparallel works with the
support of his patron.

Shakespeare applies Renaissance element or aspects in the character of protagonists of

his tragedies which causes their fall. For example, Hamlet's philosophic nature which
results in procrastination and increases his misery ; Macbeth's high ambition to be King
paves the path of his end ; Othello's excessive romantic notion of love that gave birth to
jealousy and causes his and his beloved's tragic end ; King leer's passion for high hollow
rhetorical words of love destroys. Julius Caesar's ambition for supreme power causes his
death ; In meo and Juliet their love and rebellion against the tradition of their family are
responsible their tragic end. All above mentioned qualities are of Renaissance.

Humanism, the core of English Renaissance has many sides. Its features focus circling
man. It explain the essential quality for being' Man as a part of humanity as well as the
evil quality of man which deviates him from the path of moral success. Macbeth, King
Lear are of its good examples. Individualism is the outcome of high Renaissance and it
has both good and sad side. Good side depicts the dignity of man as a rational supreme
creature and inspires as well as saves him from dishonor. On the other hand, evil side
represents the Machiavellian spirit of Renaissance. Here, one works for his own interest
either it would be honest or evil and never think of other's welfare. Othello's Iago and
King Lear's Edmand are of the true specimens of this type.

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Turbulent family relationship was a com mon aspect during Renaissance which is visible
in King Lear. Children against parents and parents against children, a reversal of natural
system that pervades the Elizabethan era is found in King Lear.

Actually Shakespeare was not bound to follow fully Renaissance or the medieval values.
He uses them as his tool for his works. Standing on the base of medieval just like a
soothsayer he shows the severe consequence or evil side of high Renaissance.

8
 CHAPTER - THREE
Textual Facts & other Sources :

William Shakespeare's drama especially his tragedies is innovative and challenging in

exactly the way of the Renaissance. They show the striking qualities of Renaissance sprit
as well as examines and questions the beliefs, assumptions and politics upon which
Elizabethan society was founded. It will be evident through a intense text analysis and
broad discussion of each tragedies. They are given below respectively.

In Hamlet we find a clear picture of Renaissance. The story is based on the theme of
revenge which is a very popular theme among the Elizabethan writers during
Renaissances. Here the protagonist prince Hamlet wants to exact revenge on his uncle,
Claudius for murdering his father, king Hamlet. Hearing the truth from the ghost he
express determination in his soliloquy to take revenge.

I'll wipe away all trivial fond records. All saws of book, all forms all pressures past That
youth and observation copied there, And thy commanded all alone shall live within the
book and volume of my brain Unmixed with baser matter (ActI, scne5)

He faced a hard ethical decision to either kill king Claudius or not. He hesitated with the
killing was not sure that he could go through with it unlil the end. Most of time he
suffered with the confusion over the prick of his conscience and the sense of revenge. A
critical essay by James Block states, "Hamlet" is the supreme achievement of the revenge
genre because Shakespeare made the issue turn on the character of the revenge." (25)
Just like the theme of revenge another element, "Free play of language" was he avidly
west in plays throughout the Renaissance language was confined in the frame of
scholasticism, we observe a fair and free play of language in Shakespeare's tragedy
Hamlet. This trend is the outcome of the humanistic movement.

There are lots of references to Greek and Roman stories, characters and historical event.
For example, In Act, scene 4 the reference of The Neman Ion's nerve" whom Hercules
fought and Stangled to death. In Act II, scene 2 that is a reference of Trojan Queen
Hecuba Whose husband king Priam was murdered by Pyrrhus, son of Achilles. A
reference of Niobe-a figure of Greek mythology who had a dozen children but lat lost all

9
out her a dozen children but lost all out her boastfulness and then turned into a rock
weeping ceaselessly is also found in Hamlet. All these allusion reflects the tension of the
play as well as shakes pare's love for classical antiquities.

Hamlets philosophical nature and intellectual depth is the eye- catching as pect of the
drama. And it is a Renaissance quality. Almost all Hamlet's soliloquy prove this faculty.
Among these these" T be Dr not to be" soliol and religious absent of mind his phib
sophical and religious bent of mind. In Act II, scene 2 of the play, Hamlet exclaims,"
What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties .......

In his speech we get a clear reflection of humanist idea about the uniqueness and extra
ordinary abilities of the human mind. It is the characteristics of a Renaissance man.

Material ambition, greed for wealth and power rising from the Machiavellian spirit of
selfishness are Renaissance qualities which Love for learning, another characteristic of
Renaissance is exhibited by the characters of Hamlet and lacerates. we know that Hamlet
is a student at the University of Witten berg and lacerates Studies at a University in
France.

In the past a battle which was fought between late king Hamlet and Fortin bras exits the
love of war and adventure, a Renaissance quality. The use of the 'play within the play'
(The Mouse Trap) in which Hamlet played the role of the director is also a Renaissance
element. Here Shakespeare criticized the traditional play acting of Middle Ages before
Shakespeare time

Othello is also replete with Renaissance elements, The respect given to achievement and
abilities, the wars and colonial expansion, the romantic nation of love and the intensity of
emotions displayed by the play and the chivalry as well as chauvinism of men are a few
exemplary feature of the Renaissance spirits that make Othello a Renaissance drama.

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Set in the urban and the civilized centers of Venice and Cyprus, the play begins with an
atmosphere of talks about war and political expansion. In fact, the issue of wor is not an
essential element in the theme of the play, but Shakespeare does so just to entertain
Renaissance audience. Thus, the military dignity of Othello is made of his most
important heroic quality which also rises interest of Renaissance audience. courage and
imagination, Knowledge and abilities overall human genius. are respected due to the
Renaissance liberal attitude towards individual, despite the color of skin.

The liberal and respectful attitude of the Renaissance people towards the soldiers had
also caused the ladies of the upper class get attracted and spell bounded to the brave
warriors and to love them. This is the reason why Desdemona scarifies her father for
Othello the army general. Othello's asserted to the Duke in Act I, Scene 3 asserted to the
Duke in Act I. Scene 3 -
She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd.
And I loved her that she did pity them.

This only is the witch craft I have used. But love is not limited sexual passion. Othello
says that he will not even take his wife to the battle field because it might hamper his
success in war !

Othello's reasoning about the responsibility of war and the role of sex suggest another
likely Renaissance element in the drama, the sense of chauvinism (proud of being male !)
in the male character's in it. To some extent, this suggests that Othello represent what we
may call the Renaissance mon - a man of many abilities, much knowledge and diverse
skills, a man interested in art, loving beauty, and full of emotions as well as the power to
reason well. But the quality chauvinism also represents a terrible evil in the Renaissance
Society the disregard of women. In Renaissance society women were not much
respected. There, man could be immoral without limits but women would be recklessly
murdered like Desdemona just for a 'doubt' of infidelity. Needless to say, even
Shakespeare (Who makes a reliably heroic and positive character Hamlet says : Women,
they name is frailty") doesn't seem to have card about how to allocate "Poetic justice" to
Desdemona and Emilia. Even if it is both necessary to will Desdemona to cause the

11
tragedy should her ignorance be thus punished, and more important, it is neither
technically necessary nor in any way justified to have Emilia murdered. Here the
character of Imago resemble A to Z to the Machiavellian hero. He is a true villain from
the Machiavellian sense. To accomplish his purpose he does everything that needed.
Here every character is the victim of his dual policy.

In Machbeth, there are abundant example of Renaissance. In the very beginning of the
tragedy we find the protagonist Macbeth as a noble hero who fought for the safety of his
country in favour of King Dun can as a symbol of loyalty. but his high ambition to be
king and inner passion for wealth and power destroys his nobleness and goodness rather
turned him into a devil. Truly, it is a Renaissance idea. The Renaissance still kept the
idea. The Renaissance still kept the idea of the world as a divine hierarchy in which
being or thing has its fixed place, but also evinced a return to the secular philosophy of
the classical antiquity with on emphasis on the unlimited capacities of man as the only
rational being in the universe. In Macbeth, the humanist philosophy is reflected precisely
in the theme of main theme of the play : the reversal of nature. When the humanity of a
single man, Macbeth become corrupt the entire order of the universe is disrupted. Only
for his ambition, Macbeth killed Duncan whom Divinity foreordained as a king, the
supreme of royalty. This act of murder was considered as a reversal of order and of
values. Thus, the virtues attributed to man by the Renaissance humanism become
corrupted in Macbeth. He willingly fights against the human instincts that tell him to
abandon the murderous plan, and tries to bend his own nature.

Those who live in the Renaissance era were known to believe the era were known to
believe the supernatural power. In Macbeth we find this properly through the character
of Macbeth. He was greatly influenced by the witches prophecy and march for fulfilling
his ambition to be king betraying the divinity.

Macbeth and his actions are another example of Renaissance ideas the Renaissance era
was a secular movement A secular movement is a movement focused more towards son
religious things. People were more concerned with the happiness of their life on earth,
and has concerned with the church and the after life. Macbeth did not care anything
about the afterlife, only about his life on earth and being happy on earth.

12
We find powerful influence of Individualism over Lady Macbeth's character. She is Self-
motivated and gives strong support Macbeth to approach to his ambition. Though it is a
Renaissance quality that wives are must be helpful to their husband but never control
them. We see lady Macbeth as a break this trend. In the character of Banquo, Macduff,
King Duncan we find many aspects of humanism. Macduff believes on the creative
power of human being by which positive change is possible. He worries about the
welfare of his country and fought against Macbeth to free his motherland.

Renaissance elements that founding Julius Caesar are - love for freedom, Humanism,
love for art music. Brutus love for freedom imports a certain greatness to his character.
He joins the conspiracy against Laesar not because of any feeling of Jealousy but his
countries freedom from Caesar's autocratic authority. He was Caesar's friend. He
scarifies his friendship for the sake of a higher Ideal which is republicanism.

Humanism is found in the note of Artemidorus a teacher of rhetoric. He warn Caesar

against the danger and beware of Brutus, Cassius, Casca and the others. He was a well-
wisher of Caesar cannot be denied that Artemidorus was a well-wisher for Caesar. That
indicates that humanism was present in him.

Calpurnia, wife of Caesar was very careful to him. One night she cried in her sleep
because she had had a dream in which her husband was being murdered. She tells Casar
was being murdered. She tells Caesar not to move out of doors. She also says that when
ordinary people die, no comets are seen but that the deaths of great men are prod aimed
by the heavens through fires in the sky and through other eruptions. But in reply, Caesar.
Says that death is inevitable brave man never fears death while a Caward experiences the
fear of death at every step in the course of his life. Athough Calpurnia Ultimately also
failed to save the life of he husband. She fulfill tried to save his life. this affordability
proves her humanistic feature.

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The most striking quality of Brutus is perhaps his philosophical nature. This is a
Renaissance quality. this means that the stands firm and resolute in the face of all
happenings good or evil. For instance, he endures the death of his beloved wife with
exceptional courage and fortitude. And he remains firm and unmoved in the face of his
approaching defeat in battle. In the quarrel scene he certainly behaves in a manner which
is far from social, but even here soon cools down and then rightly tells cassius that
carries anger just as the flint bears fire.

Love for music is another characteristic of Renaissance. In Julius Caesar' Antony is fond
of sport, music and the theatre. He is, in fact, a pleasure loving man, and this fact is
pointed out by Caesar when he tells the senators, who call upon him early one morning,
that Antony "reveling a nights". Much Later in the play, Cassius taunts Antony by calling
him a masker an reveller. From the fact that Antony is going to run a race, we learn that
he is a sportsman. Brutus refers to this fact when he tells cassias that he is Lacking in that
"quick spiral" which is to be found in Antony.

King Lear is a good example of humanism an important element of Renaissance. Here,

Shakespeare expresses his view how and autonomous, rude, lacking in self-control and
tyrannical King Lear turn into a pure, nobler, and better man through painful suffering.
Individualism, reversal of natural system are also seen in King Lear.

Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester exhibits the Machiavellian spirit of Renaissance.
Another Striking property of Renaissance that is patriotic zeal love for county is seen
seven in the villainy characters of Edmund, Gonerial, Regan and Cornwall. Cordelia
approaches against her sister to restablished her father to his throne thinking it as a
sacred duty. But the villain keep aside their own all inter-quarrel flock together to fight
against the French army. They never want to get enter enemy into their country for
molesting. Their patriotic zeal, love for country is supreme of all.

14
Edger, the legitimate child of Gluocester always bear a good humanity. He shows his
Renaissance heroism by wish good for all and sympathize with the suffering humanity
and defeating the evil Edmund.

Protest against evil deed of authority is a quality of Renaissance. And it is seen in the
character of corn wall's servant. When Cornwall heartlessly pluck out Gloucester's eye
one of his servant vehemently protests the action.

In Shakespeare's another famous tragedy Antony and Cleopatra we also observe the
Renaissance spirit in the character of hero and heroine. Antony, the hero of the tragedy
was absorbed in highly romantic vision of love. He has a great passion for art and
beauty. Love for Cleopatra, a paragon of beauty was only the cause of his fall. He values
his passionless love rather than his duties fled away from the battlefield and lost the
battle. We also find sensual aspects which is the feature of Renaissance man.

Cleopatra, the heroine is self motivated an autonomous. She always follow herself. She
loves Antony passionately. The Messenger who killed by Cleopatra to take with Octavo
was killed by Cleopatra to take furious revenge. At the end, refusing the proposal of
surrendering herself to Octavius she killed herself using the poison of an asp.

Rather we find here allusions to Virgil's Roman epic poem, the Aeneid. It is the culture
of Renaissance in which Shakespeare was educated. King lear is a good example of
humanism, an important element of Renaissance. Here Shakespeare expresses his view
how king lear, an autonomous, rude, rash, lacking in self-control turns into a pure, nobler
and better man through painful sufferings. Individualism, reversal of natural system are
also seen in Kinglear Edmund, the bastand son of Gloucester exhibits the Machiavelian
spirit of Renaissance.

Role for men, women, and children in the family were early defined in the Renaissance.
While some aspects of Renaissance family roles held true in all walks of life, one's wealth
and status determined quite a bit of what was to be expected. Family Roles in the
Renaissance Men in the Renaissance children are defined observable in Romeo and Juliet.

15
Juliet reflects the renaissance Person in her character. She won't accept the status auo of
her life's situation. This is true of the artistry, the building, and the music of the Period.
Renaissance people are dramatic and impulsive. Juliet is ready to kill herself about 15
different times in the storyline of Romeo and Juliet Juliet worked so hard to go against
her parents and that would not have been okay during that era. This rebellion marks her
as a renaissance person During the Renaissance, a wealthy woman was expected to
marry young, boy her husband and be loyal to him, and bear children, especially heirs
like a young woman of her time, Juliet has a father who arranges the marriage to young
man of family and wealth. And, the father, like lord Capulet, makes arrangements with a
suitable young man, one who has a reputable name, position and property. A dowry is
Paid to the new husband when the young couple are married.

16
 CHAPTER - FOUR

Conclusion :

Tragedy is a form of Literature which reflects an order of human experience. It is a

confrontation of life, not a turning away from it ; tragedy is not the experiences of evil
alone but rather the experience of good the good along with the evil, the good in the evil,
or the good beyond the evil. Shakespearean tragedy is the product of the change in men's
minds the Renaissance change by which men came to feel themselves separate from
God.

Shakespearean tragedy moves on several planes all at once. It reflects contradictions of

social life during the Renaissance. If reflect the contradictions of Renaissance culture. It
anticipates the development of realism and romanticism in the nineteenth century. It
reveals the hidden depth of the human mind unknown to literature before.

Indeed, Renaissance is a period of fundamental change. A change of belief, culture,

tradition reversal of Middle ages. William Shakespeare belonging to the Middle Age
blends the medical values with the morals of Renaissance as a variation from Middle
Age literature. His use of Renaissance elements in his tragic characters is so successful
that it adds a new dimension and rises the tragedies to the level of classical literature.

Shakespeare is celebrated for his brilliance. The Renaissance is defined as a period of

time when human expression reached it ful potential, and Shakespeare's body of work
was and remains one of the most important expressions of the freedom of thought that
came out of that seminal period in human history.

[Note : All the information has been drawn from different sources those are mentioned in
Bibliography and Appendices.]

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND APPENDICES

1. Sen. Dr. S William Shakespeare. Macbeth ed. 2013 Dhaka, Friends Book corner 1974
2. William Shakespeare Hamlet.ed.2013 Dhaka; friends Book corner 1984.
3. William Shakespeare King lear.ed.2013 Dhaka; Friends Book corner, 1984.
4. William Shakespeare othello.ed, 2013, Dhaka; Friends Book corner, 1994
5. Paul, Rajinder, Shakespeare Julius Caesar.ed.1997 New Dethi RAMA
BROTHERS, 1993
6. Long, William J. English Literature.ed.Dhaka; Friends Book corner, 2007
7. Macmilian legouis and Cazamian ; A History of English Literature.

Websites
 www.age-of the-sage.org 11 .......... / Jacob ....
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 www.enots.com/ .... / how - does - Juliet-refuct .....
 https: // www.megaessays.com/ .... / 203006.
 www 123 help me.com/preview.asp ? id ...

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