Shakespearean tragedy

is the classification of drama written by William Shakespeare which has a noble protagonist, who is flawed in some way, placed in a stressful heightened situation and ends with a fatal conclusion.

The plots of Shakespearean tragedy focus on the reversal of fortune of the central character(s) which leads to their ruin and ultimately, death. Shakespearean tragedy usually works on a five-part structure, corresponding to the five acts:

Part One

the exposition, outlines the situation, introduces the main characters, and begins the action.

Part Two

the development, continues the action and introduces complications.

Part Three

the crisis (or climax), brings everything to a head. In this part, a change of direction occurs or understanding is precipitated.

Part Four

includes further developments leading inevitably to Part Five, in which the final crisis of action or revelation and resolution are explained.

Part Five

the final crisis of action or revelation and resolution are explained.

Othello follows this pattern. This book introduces the students and the general reader to Shakespeare’s tragedies and to the problems of interpreting them.