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Perrine’s Drama Chapter 3

The Masks of Drama:

Tragedy and Comedy

Sources: Mr. Herrera; Schmoop, The Drama Teacher and my brain.

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The Structure of a Tragedy

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Parts of a Tragic Plot

  • Exposition: Introduction to elements of the play that need to be learned at the beginning: Characters, Conflict and Setting. It will create the tone.
  • Complications of Rising Action: The creation and meeting of opposing forces in the play.
  • Climax: The Turning Point. It is an event that changes everything for the characters’ lives.
  • Reversal: The change of fortune for the main character.
  • Catastrophe/Resolution: The conclusion of the play where the conflict is (or is not) resolved.

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Elements of a Tragedy:�The Tragic Hero

  • A person of certain stature, respect and wealth in the community.
  • A good person, but he is not perfect.
  • Has a great fall. His fall is a result of some act of injustice. This act is committed due to ignorance or maybe a feeling that some greater good may come from this deed.
  • The act is criminal though.
  • Downfall is his own fault and the result of free choice… but he may be led by others to commit it.
  • Hero’s fall may not be wholly deserved (the punishment might exceed the crime)
  • The fall usually ends with death. But before death there may be some increase in awareness or knowledge.
  • Audience will feel compassion, pity or awe for the T.H. because of this gained insight or knowledge.

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Elements of Tragedy:�Tragic Flaw

  • All Tragic Heroes have a Tragic Flaw.
  • A Tragic Flaw is a character or personality trait that causes the downfall of the T.H.
  • Examples: Arrogance, Naiveté, Fickleness, Curiousity, Guilt, Defiance, Greed, Ambition, Gullibility, Stupidity (think Romeo and Juliet), etc.

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Our Drama:�Othello

  • Setting: Venice 16th Century (1550)
    • Currently at war with the Turks.
    • Italy is a gateway to Western Europe
    • Venice is viewed a the protector of the Christian Faith.

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Venice is

Right there.

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Characters

  • Othello – Moor in Italy helping fight the Turks. (Moor: a Muslim. Later meant Arab)
  • Iago – ensign of Othello (ensign: a lower ranking officer)
  • Roderigo – Gentlemen
  • Barbantio – father of Desdemona
  • Desdemona – Othello’s love
  • Cassio – Othello’s newly appointed lieutenant
  • Emilia – wife of Iago
  • Montano – Governor of Cyprus
  • Bianca – mistress of Cassio

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Problems for Othello

  • He is a black man in a white society.
  • He is a soldier living among civilians.
  • He is an outsider.
  • He has done service for the state, but some people like it and some do not.

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Emotions Evoked

  • Jealousy
  • Suffering
    • Desdemona is helpless because of her innocent nature.
    • Othello’s mental anguish

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Key Universal Truths

  • Jealousy can be fueled by mere circumstantial evidence and can destroy lives.
  • The racist fear of miscegenation (the mixing of races via marriage and/or sex) can ultimately destroy lives of the people who fight so hard against it.
  • Female sexuality is a huge threat to men causing them to feel emasculated and humiliated.
  • Identity )or an individual's sense of identity) can break down and be manipulated by others and will, in turn, shape his or her actions.