tragedy
a drama in which the main character (tragic hero) suffers a downfall but learns something in the process
Aristotle
the ancient Greek philosopher and teacher who gave us the definition of tragedy
Dionysus
the god of fertility and wine
Festival of Dionysus
many Greek dramas were performed here
pity and fear
Aristotle says the viewer of a tragedy should feel 2 primary emotions
Catharsis
a release or purging of emotions that results in spiritual renewal
the person has high status and admired by the people; possesses a tragic flaw that contributes to his downfall; faces a tragic dilemma; is a victim of cosmic irony; suffers a downfall but learns something in the process
tragic hero has 5 characteristics
revenge tragedy
Hamlet is categorized as this kind of play
hamartia
a tragic flaw that contributes to his downfall
hubris
pride is called
tragic dilemma
a lose-lose situation
cosmic irony
the idea that fate, destiny, or a god controls and toys with human hopes and expectations
a ghost asks the tragic hero to avenge him; tragic hero pretends to be insane; tragic hero usually dies
revenge tragedy has 3 characteristics
aside
theatrical device in which the character says something about another character on stage that the audience can hear but the other character cannot
soliloquy
a speech made by a character when he/she is alone on stage, and the character reveals his inner thoughts and plans
deus ex machina
a theatrical device that works like a pulley to lower heavenly beings to the stage or raise them up; brings a way about resolution by using supernatural means
Master of Revels
a government official who was in charge of the opening and closing of theaters and other entertainment venues
Elizabeth I
queen of England during Shakespeare's day and a staunch supporter of the theater
Christopher Marlowe
a poet and playwright who preceded Shakespeare and thought to be a rival of Shakespeare
Ann Hathaway
Shakespeare's wife
Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's birthplace
James Burbage
famous actor during Shakepeare's day, the first to play Hamlet, and the owner of The Curtain Theater
Rose
the first theater in Shakespeare's plays were performed
John Webster
the playwrightwho followed Shakespeare and liked to write very bloody plays
Lord Chamberlain's Men
the theater company of which Shakespeare was a part of and later became a partner
Globe
the theater of which Shakespeare was part owner
Bankside
the theater district in London
Hell
the part of the theater underneath the stage; the trapdoor through which underworld beings could enter and depart
Heaven
the ceiling of the theater and was usually very ornately decorated
columns
used to support the structure of the theater and represented trees or places for characters to hide and eavesdrop on others
Elsinore, Denmark, 11th-12th century
setting of Hamlet
King Hamlet
dies at the beginning of play; comes back as a ghost
Claudius
killed King Hamlet with poison, marries the queen, and becomes king
Gertrude
The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, recently married to Claudius, doesn't know about the murder
Hamlet
son of Gertrude and King Hamlet, is visited by the ghost and is told about the murder of his father; becomes severely depressed
Polonius
foolish advisor to the king and is accidentally killed by Hamlet
Laertes
son of Polonius and duels Hamlet
Ophelia
Daughter of Polonius and the sister of Laertes, love interest of Hamlet
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet's strange behavior; get killed in England
Horatio
Hamlet's close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet's death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet's story.
The Mousetrap
the play the players performed in Hamlet
young Fortinbras
Prince of Norway who wants to attack Denmark to get Norway's land back
Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco
Guards at the castle who saw the ghost
Claudius is praying and repenting for his sins so he'll go straight to heaven
why does Hamlet not kill Claudius after the play
overthinking or procrastination
what is Hamlet's tragic flaw
Horacio was always by Hamlet's side and did not ask questions, Horacio is very loyal
how are Hamlet and Horacio the best of friends
think about it
is the ghost evil
think about it
is ophelia a victim
look at
dynamic relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet
think on
the theme of betrayal