Dramatic Tragedies
A tragedy is one of the main two types of drama. In it, the main characters suffer either from difficult external circumstances or from a personal flaw or weakness. The tone is somber and serious. Usually the plot resolution in a tragedy is sorrowful, and the hero or protagonist dies. While full of sadness and conflict, a tragedy will often have a uplifting theme or moral lesson.
This passage from Act III, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the sword fight between Mercutio, Romeo’s friend, and Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. As the scene opens, Mercutio is in the a public square with Benvolio and some servants when Tybalt and his friends arrive. An argument starts,…
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In this passage from Romeo and Juliet, Romeo first meets Juliet at a party held by her parents. Neither of them know who the other is; they are both the only children of feuding families. They are engaged in a flirtatious conversation. —————————————– Romeo. [To Juliet.] If I profane with…
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This passage from Act IV, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet takes place in Friar Lawrence’s cell, or room. Juliet has come to the friar in a panic; her parents demand she marry Count Paris, but she is already secretly married to Romeo. Romeo, however, has been banished to Mantua…
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Act II, Scene 2: The party at the Capulet house is over, and Romeo has left after meeting Juliet for the first time. He is avoiding his friends and has climbed into the Capulet’s garden. ————————- [Enter Romeo.] Romeo. He jests at scars that never felt a wound.- [Juliet appears…
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This passage is a speech from Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. The title character Macbeth is a Scottish general who receives a prophecy that he would one day be King of Scotland. He becomes ambitious and eager to make the prophecy come true. He is encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth. He…
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