What is a play which ends unhappily?
A play that ends unhappily is referred to as a tragedy. In a tragic play, the main character, often known as the tragic hero, faces serious obstacles and moral dilemmas. The plot typically unfolds in a way that leads to the protagonist's downfall, resulting in a sense of sorrow or pity for the character's fate. Some prominent examples of tragedies include:
- Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet,"
- Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex,"
- Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman."
These works explore themes of fate, hubris, and human suffering, leaving the audience with a sense of profound grief and catharsis at the end.