Tragedy: Difference between revisions

The next type of tragedy mainly centered its focus on the social rank in society. The middle class and lower classes were the ones who increased their stance in the social hierarchy by gaining more power and attention. Unlike the revenge tragedies, the tragedies that focused on social class were mainly written in prose, as opposed to verse. The [[ protagonist ]] in this type of tragedy is known to experience a local, or household disaster that is detrimental to his or her life in society. The domestic tragedy has an intended purpose of evoking understanding and compassion within the audience. Although the [[ hero ]] of most tragedies is supposed to display courage, bravery, and determination, the domestic tragedies in modern day society use an [[ anti-hero ]]. The [[ anti-hero ]] does not display the traditional qualities of a [[ hero ]]. Instead, the [[ anti-hero ]] proves to be inconsequential and unsuccessful in his tribulations. The example of this type of tragedy found in the eighteenth century was George Lillo’s ''The London Merchant'': or, ''The History of George Barnwell''. <ref>http://www2.anglistik.uni-freiburg.de/intranet/englishbasics/DramaSubgenres02.htm</ref>  

The last type of tragedy commonly known is the tragedy that incorporates comedic relief. They are commonly known as “tragicomedies.” While the events in tragicomedies are often considered with tragic and humorous, their main purpose is to revel a major problem for the character(s), but a happy ending is achieved due to unknown circumstances typically at a time of panic.  The greatest examples that display the qualities of a tragicomedy is Shakespeare’s ''The Merchant of Venice'' and John Fletcher’s ''The Faithful Shepherdess''. <ref>http://www2.anglistik.uni-freiburg.de/intranet/englishbasics/DramaSubgenres02.htm</ref>