This is my own understanding about shakespearean plays comparison with the Greek tragedy. First of all we have to understand the term of tragedy.
Aristotle provides a definition of tragedy we can break up into seven parts:
(1) It involves mimesis;
(2) It is serious;
(3)The action is complete and with magnitude;
(4)It is made up of language with the "aesthetic ornaments" of rhythm and harmony;
(5)These "aesthetic ornaments" are not used uniformly throughout, but are introduced in separate parts of the work, so that, for instance, some bits are spoken in verse and other bits are sung;
(6)It is performed rather than narrated; and
(7)It arouses the emotions of pity and fear and accomplishes a catharsis (purification or purgation or tempering/moderation or satisfaction) of these emotions.
Next, Aristotle asserts that any tragedy can be divided into six component parts, and that every tragedy is made up of these six parts with nothing else besides. There is (a) the spectacle (opsis), which is the overall visual appearance of the stage and the actors. The means of imitation (language, rhythm, and harmony) can be divided into
(b) melody/songs (melos), and
(c) diction, (lexis) which has to do with the composition of the verses/versification of dialogues. The agents (medium) of the action can be understood in terms of
(d)character (ethos) and
(e)thought. Thought (dianoia) seems to denote the intellectual qualities of an agent while character seems to denote the moral qualities (ethics) of an agent. Finally, there is
(f)the plot(Fable), or mythos, which is the harmonious combination/arrangements of incidents and actions in the story.
Characteristics of Greek tragedy
Greek tragedy was a popular and influential form of drama performed in theaters across ancient Greece from the late 6th century B.C. The most acclaimed Greek tragedians are AESCHYLUS ,SOPHOCLES and EURIPIDES. The exact origins of tragedy are debated amongst scholars.
◆ Features :-
1] Tragic hero:
At the centre of a tragedy it is hero,the main character or protagonist. The tragic hero is a person of high rank who accepts his or her downfall with dignity.
2] Tragic flow:
An error in judgement or a weakness in character such as pride or arrogance. A tragic hero suffers due to tragic flow.
3] Catastrophe :
A tragedy ends with a catastrophe a disastrous conclusion that usually involves multiple deaths ,if the tragic hero does not die then he or she suffers complete ruin.
4] Chorus :
A chorus plays a vital role in tragedy. Throughout a tragedy ,a chorus ,a mass group of actors observe and comment on the action through song.
5] Fate and chance :
The ancient Greek tragedy believes an idea of fate or a destiny preordained by the Gods no matter what action a person takes in the present the fates or moral where three Goddess who determined the length of person’s suffering. It would contain Greeks believed that no one could escape their fate not even the God’s themselves.
6] Very few characters -
In beginning there was only one character (7th century B. C.), after time by time some innovation got placed, like in 6th - 5th century B. C., there came an innovation in characters. Now Greek tragedy was having two or sometimes more characters, but not more then four.
7] Main theme: religious -
In Greek drama main theme was always related to God. In the beginning, drama was only performed on the festival of Dionysus, long narrative poems exploits of Gods were recited by a choral group.
8]Hamartia ( fault in character )
The ancient Greeks believed in the idea of fate or destiny preordained by the God' no matter what action a person takes in the present. The fate or Moirai, were three Goddess who determined the length of person's life and how much suffering it would contain. Hamartia means the fault in the hero's character which is leading to the downfall of tragic hero.
9]Peripeteia (reversal) -
Aristotle, in his poetics, define Peripeteia as " a change by which the action veers round to its opposite, subject always to our rule of probability or necessity" Peripeteia is the most powerful part of a plot in a tragedy along with discovery.
10]Anagnorisis ( recognition) -
Anagnorisis is a moment in a play when character makes a critical discovery. ( Hero's sudden awareness of a real situation, the realization of things as they stood, and finally, the hero's insight into a relationship with an often antagonist character).
◆comparison between Greek tragedy and Shakespearian tragedy◆
Even Shakespeare never followed the Aristotelian unities, the influence of Greek drama could be seen in his tragedies. There are some similarities as well as differences between the two.
Both, the Greek tragedy and Elizabethan tragedy shows the fall of the protagonist who holds a high position in society, from glory to wretchedness. There should be a central character and the plot should be revolving round the central character.
Difference in plot :
A plot is the ordering of events in the logical manner. According to Aristotle it is the soul and life blood of a tragedy.
Greek tragedies had a good beginning, middle and end. The beginning in self explanatory. The plot moves in linear way.
Shakespearean tragedy never starts from the very beginning. Something has already happened before the play begins. The plot moves in a complex manner.
Greeks had a theocenric vision. Ancient Greek tragedy is basically modeled upon an essentially religious base. It shows a Divine power that controls and destroy human life.
In Greek tragedy "destiny is character". The fate cannot be changed. The utter helplessness of the character in the struggle against their fate is shown.
e.g. Oedipus in 'Oedipus Tyrannous'
Elizabethan believed in the anthropocentric universe. In Elizabethan tragedy "character is destiny". The entire emphasis is laid upon the individual in bringing about his ruin.
e.g. The vaulting ambition of Macbeth leads to his doom.
Difference in Tragic hero :
At the center of the tragedy is its hero, the protagonist. Both the Greek and Shakespearean tragedies have same kind of tragic hero. A tragic hero is a towering personality in his state, hails from the high stratum of society and holds high position. The hero's fall due to some flow in their character. His wrong judgment lead him to face his death. In Greek tragedy fate also play an important role in the fall of hero.
Greek tragedy had only three actors and they wore masks.
Shakespearean tragedy never had such restrictions. They concentrated in their costumes.
In the Greek tragedies women were not allowed to act in stage. Women characters were played by males. But in Shakespearean tragedies we see woman play a roll on stage.
Difference in chorus:
The Greek used chorus as a dramatic device. Chorus was a group of characters (consisting fifteen members) who remained aloof from the action and comments upon the scene by singing and dancing.
There is a complete absence of chorus in Shakespearean tragedy. There is no need of chorus because every action takes place on the stage.
In Greek tragedy chorus provided time gap between two tragic scenes.
Chorus was replaced by a comic scene in Shakespearean tragedy. A comic scene between tragic action provide a relief to the audience.
Greek tragedy were never a bland of emotions. They never include comedy in a tragic play. But in Shakespearean tragedy we see some kind of comedy scenes.
Shakespearean tragedies had space for comic elements too.
Greek tragedies never staged any scene of violence. Such scenes were described by chorus. But we see that in Shakespearean tragedy there are many scene of violence. For example in Macbeth - murder of banqo and his son.
Elizabethan tragedies staged every scene that is there in the play.
Both the Greek and Shakespearean tragedy ends with a catastrophe, a disastrous conclusion that usually involves multiple deaths. If the tragic hero does not die he suffers complete ruin.
Error of judgment :
It's a shame that murder can become a person s addiction. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Error in Macbeth's judgment causes him to go from a noble man to a cold hearted, bloodthirsty murderer. The murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff s family, cause Macbeth's deterioration in character.
There are three unities in Shakespearean tragedies
Unity of action :
The unity of action implies that the action represented in the play should be one single whole without any sub plot.
Unity of time :
The unity of time implies that the time presented in the play should be limited to two or three hours. It takes to act the play or at most a single day of either twelve or twenty four hours.
Unity of place :
The tragic action portrayed in the play should be limited to a single location.
The Greek clearly obeyed the three unities in their tragedies. These unities were observed in order to create a feeling of reality amount the audience.
In short, tragedy is a kind of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner. There are alot of differences in Greek tragedy and Elizabethan tragedy. Both era have influenced modern theaters simply because the Greek so obviously influenced Elizabethan theaters….
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