Romeo and Juliet: Examining Characteristics of the Shakespearean Tragedy

The Globe Theatre was the home of many of William Shakespeare’s plays made up of a variety of different genres. This includes tragedies.

Today, people have a much different definition of tragedies than people did then.

When we hear the word tragedy, we immediately think of a large number of innocent deaths. But is it the same as it was before? No, of course not. People in those times thought of it as a hero falling in love, having a fatal flaw, which usually lead to their deaths.

Romeo and Juliet is a great example of a Shakespearean tragedy. Even though we do have quite the same idea of tragedies, a modern view would be World Wars I and II. This is because a lot of innocent people were hurt and killed over two countries fighting.

So how is Romeo and Juliet a tragedy?

William Shakespeare, a well-known author, was the man who wrote the play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The play is about two families living in Verona in the 1400’s who have held a grudge against each other for many years and their children who fall in love.

The various decisions made by the characters in the play are what makes the production such a tragedy. During the play, Romeo made many decisions, some good and some bad, but they all had a great effect on the outcome of the dramatic story. Some of the decisions the audience could hear through what Romeo said.

One of the first lines that reminds the audience of the coming events is ‘Direct my sail’. Romeo is saying this as if he is a boat, and he is allowing fate or ‘the stars’ as he later calls it to direct him wherever it wants him to go. Later in the play, Romeo claims that he had a dream that he will meet a beautiful lady, but it will end in death and sadness. But he doesn’t care. He believes that ...

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...s love was actually dead, so he killed himself, then Juliet awoke, found Romeo dead, and killed herself to be with him.

All of these points and more are all small but powerful contributors to the tragic, un-seen deaths of these lovers.

But is there anything that does not fit in with the tragic genre?

Shakespeare also wrote plays about romance and comedy. People may feel that there were parts of the play that were a bit different to a tragedy. They fitted in with a romance genre more. But that may have helped the production to be more successful, and have a more tragic end. Overall, the whole production felt and looked like a great example of a Shakespearean tragedy.

So fate did choose the right path, but not for Romeo, or Juliet, but for their families. But, they will never know that. That is why this production is such a successful one, and such a good tragedy.