Can someone help explain greek tragedy?

Question

I'm doing Romeo & Juliet coursework - and we have to include it. We have to focus on the sonnet in the prologue - is that the chorus of a greek tragedy - I have done some research - e.g. on wikipedia but it isn't very clear. I have to link greek tradegy to the way love is presented in the play?!

Answer 1

Yes, Shakespeare's prologue is the chorus of a Greek tragedy. In the Prologue it explains what will happen in the play, basically what the 'plot' is going to be about. Just as in a Greek tragedy the 'chorus' is at the beginning of the play

A Greek tragedy contains seven components: plot, characters, a chorus, thought, diction, music, and spectacle. Of these plot is the most important. According to Aristotle, "the plot is the soul of tragedy." Plot is communicated to the audience primarily by means of words.

The philosopher Aristotle theorized in his work The Poetics that tragedy results in a catharsis (emotional cleansing) of healing for the audience through their experience of these emotions in response to the suffering of the characters in the drama. He considers it superior when a character passes from good fortune to bad rather than the reverse.

"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whole misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife."

Answer 2

i don't have any notes on this one, and i can't remember details.

however, include the duality of romance an tragedy, and how it emphasises each. use quotes to compare the two.

i would also make a note of saying that in greek plays, often both tragedy and romance were seen as forms of beauty. human beings enjoy watching people fall. in Romeo and Juliet the tragedy could be seen as beautiful as it is done out of love. again use quotes.

i'm a bit rusty on this, but i hope i help a bit.

Answer 3

The chorus act as a commentary for events going on - a bit like a narrator - to fill in details for the audience, or to reflect on events that are happening on stage.

There are a series of features of Greek tragedy at this link:
http://ise.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/drama/terms.html
which you'll find appear in R&J

Answer 4

I haven't read that in a long time.

Romeo without his "roe" is "me O," as in "O, me O, woe is me"; and a person who is wasting away looks as thin as a fish without roe (and a "dried herring" is the thinnest). The point is that Romeo's forelorn love for Rosaline is killing him, body and soul. .

According to Mercutio, it is Romeo's opinion that Petrarch's Laura was only a "kitchen-wench" compared to Rosaline, and that other famous beauties were likewise nothing compared to Rosaline.

Try this link and see if that helps.