Question

Which are elements of a Shakespearean tragedy? Select 4 options.

Option 1: A wise character
Option 2: A farfetched ending
Option 3: A flawed hero
Option 4: An emotional release
Option 5: A misunderstanding
Option 6: A major catastrophe

Answer 1

Elements of a Shakespearean tragedy include a option 3:flawed hero, option 4: an emotional release, option 5:a misunderstanding, and option 6:a major catastrophe, all of which align with the elements of tragedy as defined by Aristotle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The elements of a Shakespearean tragedy often follow the structure and characteristics defined by Aristotle in his work, Poetics.

When selecting the correct elements of a Shakespearean tragedy from the provided options, we should consider the following four:

1. A flawed hero (Option 3): In Shakespearean tragedies, the protagonist is often a noble character who has a tragic flaw (hamartia) that ultimately leads to his downfall.
2. An emotional release (Option 4): The audience experiences catharsis, a sense of emotional release, after encountering pity and fear through the play's unfolding events.
3. A misunderstanding (Option 5): Misunderstandings are common plot devices in tragedies that typically complicate the story and contribute to the inevitable catastrophe.
4. A major catastrophe (Option 6): Shakespearean tragedies often end in a catastrophe, usually involving the death of the hero and often several other characters.

It's worth noting that while a wise character can appear in tragedies, it is not a defining element.

A farfetched ending (Option 2) would be more at home in comedies than tragedies, which require incidents evoking pity and fear rather than disbelief.