Desire Under The Elemmics

The Evolution of Tragedy in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Desire Under the Elms

There are many genres of literature. Because of the age of this genre, it stands to reason that many variations have occurred throughout the years to make it reflect that time period. The genre of tragedy tends to be considered great because it occurs during great periods of history, it is about great men, and it is written by great writers.> The evolution of tragedy and the characteristics of tragedy are exemplified in the comparison of Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Desire Under the Elms.

In the comparison of Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and Desire Under the Elms the characteristics of tragedy are revealed. One characteristic is that tragedy appears during great

Oedipus Rex was written during ancient Greece, which is considered the birthplace of the western culture. Ancient Greece is a time of great enlightenment in all of the arts, so it is not surprising that this is one of the beginnings of the tragedy. During this time Greece is rising in power so the people could enjoy watching others face hard times. Hamlet was written during another great period of history, the Renaissance. During this time people are moving out of the Middle Ages into a time of enlightenment, where a rebirth of interest in the arts occurs. This time also is marked by a confidence in one having a prosperous future and the country as a whole looking toward a good life. Finally, Desire Under the Elms appeared during what is called the

Plot is considered the soul of tragedy because it is what governs the actions of the characters and provides the needed impact for the audience. If Hamlet had discovered that Polonius was behind the curtain before he killed him, then the view of Hamlet's personality and the audience's reaction to this action would have been very different. By the killing occurring before Polonius is identified, Hamlet is still viewed as a good guy and the audience has a reaction of surprise. Another example of how the plot can govern the development of a character and audience reaction is in Oedipus Rex. If Oedipus knew he was adopted before he went to the oracle, then he never would have gone to Thebes to avoid the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother. Therefore he never would have been considered great for solving the Sphinx's riddle, and the audience would not see him as a tragic hero because he never would have suffered banishment for murdering the king. The plot is significant to tragedy because it is what makes it a higher, more complex form of literature. The plot governs every aspect of the tragedy, whereas in other genres the humor or the feelings of the characters can cover a bad plot. Tragedy can also be seen as a more significant piece of literature because it requires more seriousness, and a higher level of