Shakespearean Tragedy

A Shakespearean tragedy may be broken down into six distinct structural elements:

1. Exposition – introduction & "grabber"

2. Exciting Force – the main characters take on too much that will lead to disaster

3. Rising Action – events that propel the characters toward the climax

4. Climax – The focal point where the play shifts directions toward the catastrophe

5. Falling action – events that propel the characters toward the catastrophe

6. Catastrophe – the tragic , inevitable end

In Julius Caesar these elements occur as follows:

Act I Exposition, Exciting Force, Rising Action

Act II Rising Action

Act III Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action

Act IV Falling Action

Act V Falling Action, Catastrophe

Describe the events of the play which conform to the structural elements of a Shakespearian tragedy.

1. Exposition

2. Exciting Force

3. Rising Action

4. Climax

5. Falling Action

6. Catastrophe