Bourgeois tragedy

Definition

Bourgeois tragedy refers to a form of drama that emerged in the 18th century, focusing on the lives and struggles of the middle class rather than nobility or heroic figures. This genre highlights the moral dilemmas and emotional conflicts faced by everyday people, reflecting the values and concerns of the rising bourgeoisie during a time of significant social change. It aims to connect audiences to relatable characters and situations, thereby creating a more profound emotional engagement with the audience compared to traditional tragedy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bourgeois tragedy was primarily developed during the Enlightenment period, where the middle class began to assert its values and experiences through art and literature.
2. Key playwrights of bourgeois tragedy include Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, who emphasized moral seriousness and explored social issues relevant to his time.
3. Unlike classical tragedies that often focus on kings or gods, bourgeois tragedy centers around relatable characters from everyday life, making it accessible to a wider audience.
4. This genre paved the way for later theatrical movements, particularly realism, by addressing social issues such as class struggle and moral ambiguity within society.
5. The emotional intensity of bourgeois tragedy often aimed to evoke sympathy from the audience, creating a connection that encouraged reflection on their own lives and societal norms.

Review Questions

• How does bourgeois tragedy differ from classical tragedy in terms of character focus and themes?
  • Bourgeois tragedy differs significantly from classical tragedy in that it centers on middle-class characters rather than nobility or mythological figures. This shift reflects broader societal changes during the Enlightenment, as the middle class began to emerge as a significant force in culture and politics. While classical tragedies often deal with grand themes of fate and heroism, bourgeois tragedies focus on personal struggles, moral dilemmas, and emotional conflicts that are relatable to everyday people.
• Discuss the role of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing in shaping bourgeois tragedy and its themes in German Enlightenment theatre.
  • Gotthold Ephraim Lessing played a pivotal role in shaping bourgeois tragedy through his influential works that emphasized moral seriousness and human emotion. He challenged traditional theatrical conventions by placing middle-class characters in central roles and addressing relevant social issues like class conflict and ethical dilemmas. Lessing's writings not only reflected the concerns of his time but also helped legitimize the bourgeois experience on stage, paving the way for future playwrights to explore similar themes.
• Evaluate the impact of bourgeois tragedy on later dramatic movements such as realism and melodrama.
  • Bourgeois tragedy significantly influenced later dramatic movements like realism and melodrama by introducing relatable characters and social issues into the theatre. As it focused on the lives of ordinary people facing moral dilemmas, it laid the groundwork for realism's emphasis on accurate portrayals of everyday life. Additionally, elements from bourgeois tragedy can be seen in melodrama, particularly its emotional intensity and clear moral contrasts. This connection demonstrates how bourgeois tragedy reshaped theatrical storytelling by prioritizing the human experience over traditional heroic narratives.

Related terms

Sentimentalism: A literary movement that emphasizes emotion and morality, often found in 18th-century plays, focusing on the protagonist's internal conflicts and feelings.

Melodrama: A dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions, sensational events, and clear moral distinctions, often aimed at appealing to the audience's emotions.

Realism: A movement that emerged in the 19th century which sought to represent everyday life accurately and truthfully, focusing on ordinary characters and situations.