Tragedy Examples of tragedies:

• Romeo and Juliet

Tragedy tells the story of death or misery that is caused
• Othello
by a combination of bad luck and human error.
• Hamlet
• Macbeth
The story’s protagonist, or tragic hero, usually
• Coriolanus
possesses a tragic flaw, such as jealousy or
vengefulness, that is instrumental in bringing about his
or her own downfall. This is also called hamartia.
A tragic end
Fate usually has a role to play in the unfortunate events Tragedies almost always end
that occur in Shakespeare’s tragedies. This may take the with the death of one or more
form of a prophecy or be connected to supernatural characters. As a result of
beings like ghosts or witches. witnessing these unhappy
events, the audience may
Foreshadowing and dramatic irony are often used to experience a sense of relief or
build tension. Sometimes a Greek chorus or a narrator a feeling of being “cleansed”.
help to foreshadow the terrible events. This is known as catharsis.

Shakespeare in context
 Comedy Examples of comedies:

• A Midsummer Night’s
Comedy pits two people or groups of people against
Dream
each other, often with humorous consequences. • Twelfth Night
• Much Ado About Nothing
Although they are not always entirely funny, • As You Like It
Shakespeare’s comedies often use a number of tricks to • The Taming of the Shrew
make audiences laugh. These include slapstick,
innuendo, disguises and mistaken identity.
Happily ever after
The fool is a key comedic character. The fool acts as a Love is usually an important
sort of jester, who will make jokes, sing songs and theme in Shakespeare’s
comment on the action in a funny way. comedies. Humour stems
from a couple overcoming
Strong female characters often appear in Shakespeare’s obstacles to be together.
comedies. They are smart, witty and feisty. They may Comedies often end with
dress up as men to help themselves succeed in a world marriage, a return to order
where their own power is limited. and a sense of hope.

Shakespeare in context
 Tragicomedy Examples of
tragicomedies:
This type of drama combines elements of tragedy and
• The Winter’s Tale
comedy. The plot may seem to be moving towards a
• The Tempest
tragic ending, but a last-minute plot twist will usually
• Cymbeline
give a happy resolution.
• Pericles
Many of Shakespeare’s tragicomedies are referred to as
romances. These plays mix serious human problems,
such as exile and separation, with elements of myth and Importance of family
fantasy, like magic or strange creatures. Instead of focusing on love
and lovers, tragicomedies
Humour may lighten the mood within a subplot or a often place family conflict at
masque – a popular form of courtly entertainment that the centre of the action. In
combined music, dance and mime with dialogue. particular, we see family
members separated and
The tragicomedies often end with reconciliation, then reunited.
resurrection and forgiveness.

Shakespeare in context
 History plays Examples of history plays:

These plays are inspired by real events from British • Henry VI (parts 1, 2 and
history. Shakespeare used the facts as a basis to explore 3)
issues of power and morality and to comment on • Richard III
contemporary issues or events that were taking place in • Richard II
his lifetime, but did not always retell stories truthfully. • Henry IV (parts 1 and 2)
• Henry V
By law, all theatre companies had to be supported by a
financial backer, or patron. It was common for groups to
produce plays that were designed to please the patron. Houses at war
This was particularly true for history plays. Shakespeare’s Most of the history plays
company was supported by the Lord Chamberlain and focus on the years during
later by King James I, under whose patronage the and leading up to the Wars
company became known as The King’s Men. of the Roses, which were
fought between the houses
For these reasons, we cannot take Shakespeare’s plays as of Lancaster and York
accurate representations of history. between 1422 and 1485.

Shakespeare in context
 Problem plays Examples of problem plays:

• All’s Well That Ends Well

The problem plays are a group of Shakespeare’s
• Measure for Measure
comedies which are seen to be “problematic” in some
• Troilus and Cressida
way.

The plots are a confusing mixture of fantasy and

reality and cannot be clearly defined as comedy or Ahead of the curve
tragedy. Characters are often difficult to understand The problem plays are often
or categorize. As a result, audiences may struggle to said to have a “modern” feel.
make sense of what they see. The cynical outlook and lack of
easy resolution apparent in
These plays take social or moral problems as their these plays are characteristic
subject matter. The issue will be explored through of the work of later dramatists,
the course of the play, yet a clear answer will rarely such as Henrik Ibsen, and
have been reached by the time the plot is resolved. demonstrate the continued
relevance of Shakespeare
While the play’s ending may appear to be happy, the today.
problem will remain to cast a shadow over things.

Shakespeare in context