Shakespearean Tragedy

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             Shakespearean Tragedy


A.C. Bradley is a distinguished literary critic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He made an indelible mark on Shakespearean scholarship with his seminal work "Shakespearean Tragedy."  He analyzed the psychological depth, character development, and themes in plays like "Hamlet," "Othello," "Macbeth," and "King Lear."  This essay seeks to explore A.C. Bradley's contributions to our understanding of Shakespearean tragedies. 

Hamartia or Tragic Flaw
A.C. Bradley's analysis of Shakespearean tragedies centers around the fatal flaw of the tragic heroes. He emphasized the tragic flaw, or "hamartia," that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero. 
           King Lear - ill judgement
           Othello - suspicious
           Macbeth -  ambitious
           Hamlet - Brooding nature

Heroes of Shakespeare 
 Shakespeare's heroes belong to a royal families. Eg. 
      King Lear - He is the King of Great Britain 
      Othello - Moorish General
      Macbeth - Scottish nobleman 
      Hamlet - Prince of Denmark 

Catharsis
Aristotle coined the term catharsis—which comes from the Greek kathairein meaning "to cleanse or purge"—to describe the release of emotional tension that he believed spectators experienced while watching dramatic tragedy.
A.C. Bradley uses the term "catharsis" in his essay.  Shakespearean tragedies help the audience to feel and release emotions through the aid of tragedy.

Peripetia 
A sudden reversal occurs in the fortune of the heroes. 
King Lear :  King Lear experiences peripeteia when he divides his kingdom among his three daughters. The sudden reversal occurs when he  his two older daughters betray him. He  realizes the true love of his daughter Cordelia . This  leads to  his downfall and cause of madness.
 Othello: Othello  is manipulated by Iago. He suspects his wife, Desdemona to be unfaithful.This sudden reversal of trust and love  leads Othello to murder his wife. 
Hamlet: Hamlet's peripeteia comes in the form of discovering his father's ghost and learning about his murder.
4. Macbeth: Macbeth encounters the witches who prophesy his rise to power. This sudden reversal of fortune ignites his ambition and leads him down a path of murder. 

Bradley's analysis of Shakespearean tragedies emphasizes the downfall of the protagonist due to their tragic flaw and their fate.  Shakespeare's tragedies offer profound insights into the human condition, exploring themes of fate, ambition, and moral complexity, leaving readers and audiences with a deep understanding of the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our actions.




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