Shakespeare's Non-Aristotelian Works

Shakespeare’s works employ none of the traditional requirements for tragedy and comedy defined by Aristotle. The two people have different ideas for what a tragedy or comedy should contain. Shakespeare’s works are usually five act plays which follow the traditional plot arc. His play expositions tend to have little plot development so that his audiences, comprised of mostly poor and usually drunk citizens, can have some time to acquaint themselves with the characters within the play. There are many features that are mutual between all of Shakespeare's tragedies. Of them, the most common is the major flaw that each of his heroes have, such as an inflated sense of self-importance, pride, or an over attachment to a minor character in the play. Present in all of Shakespeare’s plays, this major flaw brings the downfall of the hero in a tragedy. Another common characteristic of his tragedies is the integration of royalty into the story. The nobles are constantly the center of the story. When these characters of nobility fall, they have a more prominent finality than the deaths of the lower classes. Similarly, Shakespeare’s comedies also have their own unique characteristics. A Shakespearean comedy can be most easily identified if it possesses Shakespeare’s comedic language. There are often uses of very colorful dialogues and dramatic irony that lighten the mood of the play, creating a lighthearted environment for the production. Aristotle’s ideas on tragedy and comedy are different from those of Shakespeare. Aristotle defined what was to be considered as a proper tragedy and comedy, laying out the foundations for his interpretation of these styles. Aristotle commands certain ideals to be present in a proper comedy or tragedy. Characters...

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...decisiveness is a flaw in his character that the audience cannot relate to, therefore making Romeo a non-Aristotelian hero in the tragedy.

Aristotle’s requirements for tragedy and comedy are not followed in Shakespeare’s writings, but are still relevant guidelines for modern day literature. Although the details of the principle no longer applies, the basic structure of Aristotle’s definitions still apply.The comedies and tragedies within modern day literature still apply the outline set by Aristotle. For example, in Roald Dahl’s short story “Lamb to the Laughter,” the protagonist, a pregnant mother with complicated family problems, is entirely relatable to the audience that it suits, making it a follower of the basic principles of tragedy. Other modern day novels and stories also feature Aristotle’s principles, making its influence prominent in current literature.