tragic hero

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The Tragic hero Coursework

 

  For my English coursework I have been asked to study the famous play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ it is about two star crossed lovers destined to die.  Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s domestic tragedies not a political tragedy like ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Hamlet’, the difference is that a domestic tragedy affects only those involved or close family or friends, but a political tragedy affects a whole nation.  An example of a political tragedy would be, Macbeth because he had to kill so many people to make sure he didn’t get caught killing the king that it leads to him being attacked by his own army.

 

 

   A tragic hero should be of high but not perfect standing, Romeo acquires this characteristic, We know this because he is well thought of by his enemies as we see this in the party scene as Capulet tells Tybalt to leave him alone and also Capulet knows who he is but doesn’t tell him to leave ‘Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone’.

His Family is wealthy and established. We know his friends and family clearly care for him as at the start of the play Romeos father is clearly concerned for him when he is depressed about Rosaline

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‘And private in his chamber pens himself, shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out’

 

   Is Romeo perfect? No he’s not as a tragic hero has a tragic flaw also known as hamartia, or possesses ideas which connect to be fulfilled in this world. We know he is not perfect because he is melodramatic, self pitying, immature and unwilling to take advice, An example of this would be at the start of the play when he is sulking about Rosaline,

‘Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here;

This is not Romeo, he’s some other ...

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