The Elizabethan View of the Universe Common Sense Universe absolutely ordered No division Chain of Being All things (including people) ranked by superiority – hierarchy.
The Elizabethan View of the Universe continued … Chain of Being continued … Categories Subdivided Any disruptions of characters were subdivided.
The HierarchyThe Hierarchy God Angels Man Animals Plants Inorganic Matter Chaos King/Queen, Upper Class Nobility, Knights, Gentlemen Middle Class Professions & Trades Low Class Peasants
Macbeth Tragedy Type of drama of human conflict w/tragic hero Ends – defeat & suffering Conflict – forces beyond control of characters (sometimes) Fate Evil in the world
The Tragic HeroThe Tragic Hero Main character (usually) – engenders admiration & hatred Dignified/noble–member-power class by birth, conquest, or usurpation Representative – universal humankind Rate = combination of what others do and his/her choices Strong individualist, sometimes to the point of extremism Isolated
Tragic Hero continued … Intelligent Learns through suffering (usually too late) Demonstrates personal courage in acceptance – death/ annihilation Possesses a tragic flaw – leads to his/her destruction Weakness of character Wrong judgment
Tragic Hero Summary People of magnified stature. Suffers a reversal of fortune Recognizes the consequences of actions. Audience moved to pity and/or fear hero. Moved to realize the evil capable in all of humanity.
The LanguageThe Language Shakespeare uses language to distinguish different status between characters. Class and Depth Macbeth – Poetry Blank Verse = unrhymed iambic pentameter Shows depth of character who is deeply probing/imaginative.
The Language continued … Lady Macbeth – Poetry (Blank Verse) Business like Practical Unimaginative
The Language continued … Porter – Prose – Everyday Language Ordinary, working class character
Macbeth
The Six Elements of Drama in Macbeth Character Plot Theme Dialogue Convention Audience
Macbeth Act I – The Exposition Act I Exposition Setting Main characters -- their positions circumstances -- relationships to one another Exciting Force/Complication Begins conflict – continues throughout play
Acts I, II, & III The Rising Action Acts I, II, III Rising Action Series of events – lead to climax Builds suspense
Act III The Climax Act III The Climax Turning point of the play Tragic hero moves to his inevitable end
Acts III, IV, & V The Falling Action Acts III, IV, V Falling Action Events - Climax-hero’s death Show both advances & declines Various forces acting upon hero
Act V The Catastrophe Act V Catastrophe/Exodos/Denouement Necessary consequences – hero’s previous actions Simple & brief
The Triangle of EventsThe Triangle of Events Act I – Exposition/Background Act II Rising Action/Conflict Begins Act III – Climax/Point of greatest intensity Act IV – Falling Action Act V – Resolution/Dénouement/Ties up loose ends Macbeth
NOW ….NOW …. Shakespeare’s Macbeth! Act I