Shakespearean Tragedy Literary Elements

Shakespearean Tragedy Literary Elements

Genre

Literary Criticism

Setting and Context

This text analyses a number of Shakespeare's plays, which have a number of different settings. For example, Bradley discusses the dark settings of Macbeth.

Narrator and Point of View

This text is written from the perspective of A.C Bradley, a renowned literary critic.

Tone and Mood

Bradley has been praised for the informatic yet lyrical tone of this piece.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Bradley analyses a number of Shakespeare's tragic protagonists, and antagonists such as the Witches in Macbeth.

Major Conflict

The major conflict of this text is trying to gain an understanding of the tragic genre.

Climax

This text does not contain a climax as such, as it does not follow a narrative structure. This being said, each essay has its own moments of climax. For example, one climax might be when Bradley is discussing the role of the Witches in Macbeth.

Foreshadowing

In the first chapters, Bradley foreshadows what he will be discussing about each of the plays individually.

Understatement

Bradley argues that many critics understand the meaning of the Witches in Macbeth.

Allusions

Bradley alludes to Paradise Lost, an epic poem written by John Milton.

Imagery

Imagery is used to describe the darkness in Macbeth, including the many scenes that take place at night.

Paradox

N/A

Parallelism

Bradley compares and contrasts Macbeth and Hamlet. For example, he points out the fact that both plays contain supernatural elements.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

"The crown" is used as a metonym for the power of the monarchy.

Personification

N/A

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