1. Artistic Expression: Shakespeare was a master storyteller who used various genres, including tragedy, to express his artistic creativity.
2. Exploration of Human Emotions: Tragic stories allow writers to delve deeply into the complexities of human emotions, such as grief, loss, love, betrayal, and revenge. Shakespeare skillfully portrayed these emotions in his tragedies.
3. Catharsis for Audience: Tragedy allows the audience to experience a catharsis, a powerful emotional release, as they witness the struggles and downfalls of the tragic heroes.
4. Reflection on Human Nature: Shakespeare's tragedies often reflected on fundamental aspects of human nature, inviting audiences to contemplate the consequences of characters' actions and choices.
5. Historical Context: During Shakespeare's time, tragedies were a popular form of entertainment and provided a social commentary on contemporary issues and power dynamics.
6. Influence from Ancient Greek and Roman Literature: Shakespeare was heavily influenced by classical literature, particularly Greek and Roman tragedies. Many of his tragic works were inspired by or adapted from these ancient texts.
7. Moral Lessons: Tragedies often convey moral or ethical messages, cautioning against certain behaviors or actions and emphasizing the importance of virtues such as loyalty, honesty, and justice.
8. Universal Themes: Shakespeare explored themes that resonate with audiences across cultures and time periods. Themes such as the struggle for power, betrayal, love, and the consequences of one's actions continue to make his tragedies relevant and enjoyable to audiences today.
9. Artistic Challenge: Writing tragedies presented an artistic challenge for Shakespeare, allowing him to demonstrate his skill in creating complex and emotionally charged narratives.
10. Audience Preferences: At the time, tragedies were popular with Elizabethan audiences, who found catharsis and excitement in these dramatic works.