Final answer:
Seneca is recognized as the most notable tragic Roman playwright, with nine surviving plays that influenced the structure of Renaissance tragedy and provided foundational elements that were later adopted by playwrights like Shakespeare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most notable tragic Roman playwright is Seneca. While Roman tragedy was not as widely celebrated as comedy, Seneca's contributions have had a lasting impact on the genre. His plays are the only extant examples of Roman tragedy, with nine of his works surviving to the present day. Despite the uncertainty regarding whether Seneca's tragedies were performed or simply written as closet dramas, his influence is undeniable. He introduced several elements that subsequently shaped the structure of Renaissance tragedy, such as the division of a play into five acts, the use of overwhelming emotion to drive a protagonist to their downfall, the incorporation of supernatural elements, and the staging of violence.