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Examples of Tragicomedy in Literature

The document provides examples of tragicomedy in literature, highlighting works such as 'The Merchant of Venice' by Shakespeare, 'The Cherry Orchard' by Chekhov, and 'Waiting for Godot' by Beckett. Each example illustrates the blend of comedic and tragic elements, showcasing complex characters and situations that evoke both laughter and sorrow. The document emphasizes the unique qualities of tragicomedy, including the balance of humor and serious themes, as seen in various literary works.

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Rowelyn Cuya
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78 views2 pages

Examples of Tragicomedy in Literature

The document provides examples of tragicomedy in literature, highlighting works such as 'The Merchant of Venice' by Shakespeare, 'The Cherry Orchard' by Chekhov, and 'Waiting for Godot' by Beckett. Each example illustrates the blend of comedic and tragic elements, showcasing complex characters and situations that evoke both laughter and sorrow. The document emphasizes the unique qualities of tragicomedy, including the balance of humor and serious themes, as seen in various literary works.

Uploaded by

Rowelyn Cuya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Examples of Tragicomedy in Literature

Example #1: The Merchant of Venice (By William Shakespeare)

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is considered one of the


most popular traditional tragicomedy examples. Though it has a comedic
structure, there are tragic characters, such as Shylock (who is a
central character), and tragic events, such as Antonio’s “loss” of life (because
he is not really dead).

Although the play ends on a happy note with the union of the lovers in the
story, and Antonio is saved from a tragic incident, readers are left with a taste
of Shylock’s sufferings. Hence, the feeling and mood of the play at the end is
neither happy nor gloomy. Though, this play definitely has a comic structure, it
also has a strong tragic story. Therefore, it can be classified as a tragicomedy.

Example #2: The Cherry Orchard (By Anton Chekhov)

Anton Chekhov’s play, The Cherry Orchard, turned out to be his final play that
has a combination of comedy and tragedy. It is the story of an elite family that
is on the verge of losing its inherited estate. As this play is based on an
inevitable social change, which came with the dawn of the 20th century, it
presents the end of an aristocratic era, blended with tragic and comic
elements. The comic elements can be seen in the behavior, humorous
aspects, and lack of responsibility of the characters.

Example #3: Waiting for Godot (By Samuel Beckett)

Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot can also be considered one of the great
examples of tragicomedy. There are many gestures, dialogues, actions, and
situations that are filled with pure comedy. All types of musical devices have
been used to create laughter.

The overall atmosphere is that of a dark-comedy. For example, Vladimir is


determined not to listen to Estragon’s nightmare. However, the latter keeps
pleading with him to listen. Similarly, Estragon takes off and puts on his shoes
several times while Vladimir plays with his hat again and again. On the other
hand, comedy turns into a tragedy due to the haplessness of these tramps.
Vladimir and Estragon wait for somebody who does not come, which makes
them disappointed. During the course of time, they indulge themselves in
meaningless activities.
Example #4: The Winter’s Tale (By William Shakespeare)

Shakespearean tragicomedies have complex and dubious plots. One of his


perfect tragicomedies is The Winter’s Tale. The first three acts are both tragic
and serious, while the final two acts are based on pastoral romance, roguery,
songs, humor, and reunion. A sheep-shearing celebration with the elegant,
innocent Perdita serving as a hostess, dancing and singing with shepherds, is
suggestive of rural life in England. The blend of suffering, sorrows, humor,
romance, forgiveness, and reunion in the play confirms its label as a
tragicomedy. There are different aspects of the tragicomedy in the play that
include: tragic elements, comic elements, romantic elements, and a happy
ending.

Example #5: The Caretaker (By Harold Pinteris)

The Caretaker, written by Harold Pinteris, is mixed with two modes, tragedy
and comedy, and is a fine modern example of tragicomedy. The comic
elements come out in the monologues of Mick and Davies, and even the
interactions between characters sometimes approach farce.
Davies’ repetition, confusion, and deceit of the brothers makes the play
comedic. However, the tragic element appears in the climatic monologue of
Anton, regarding his shock treatments, at the end of the play and in “that
place,” although its ending is somewhat ambiguous.

Example #6: Marriage à la Mode (By John Dryden)

John Dryden’s Marriage à la Mode is a successful comedy that merges two


different plots of restoration comedy of manners and romantic tragicomedy.
The double plot encompasses the idea that marriage both creates hope and
brings regrets, it both opens possibilities and denies opportunities.

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