Tragedy

Tragedy

Tragedies were prominent among William Shakespeare's works. Macbeth is one of the most famous tragic plays he wrote along with Hamlet, King Lear, Julius Caesar. Thus, we researched the definition and origin of "tragedy". As well, we found a textual reference that we believe clearly shows the elements of a tragedy present in Macbeth.

Definition of Tragedy
- A dramatic composition (representation), often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through a flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, as fate or society, to downfall or destruction.
- Any literary composition, as a novel, dealing with a somber theme carried to a tragic conclusion. Often, tragedy also involves a reversal of fortune.
- Tragedies commonly follow a “Tragic Pattern”

Origin of the Word
- Phrynichus is said to be one of the earliest of Greek tragedians, although August Wilhelm von Schlegel says that Aeschylus was the inventor of tragedy.
- Later, tragedy meant any non-comedic drama.
- Tragedy may have been traced to "dithyrambs", the celebrations honouring Dionysus. It was said to have been created by satyrs, half-goat beings who were sponsored by Dionysus.
- The word “tragedy” originated from Greek tragōidiā (Classical Greek τραγωδία).
o Tragōidiā means “goat song” (tragos means "goat", aeidein means "to sing").
o This meaning might have referred to:
§ The goat-like costumes the actors wore when playing satyrs.
§ The actors being paid a goat for being on stage.The “tragic” sound of the goats that were being sacrificed on festival days.
§ Another possibility for the root of the beginning of the word “tragedy” would not be tragos (meaning "goat"), but trageîn, the 2nd aorist infinitive of trōgein (meaning "to gnaw").

Textual Reference Tragedy
When the witches proclaim him that he will become king; they set his expectations high to fall later, and spur him into taking action.

(1.3.49)

THIRD WITCH All hail Macbeth, that shall be king hereafterMacbeth foreshadows his own downfall

(1.7.59)

MACBETH If we should fail?

LADY MACBETH We fail?
But screw your courage to the sticking place
And we’ll not fail. […]

References
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tragedy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy
Oxford Version of Macbeth