Bourgeois tragedy

Definition

Bourgeois tragedy is a genre of drama that emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries, focusing on the lives, struggles, and moral dilemmas of the middle class. This form of tragedy often presents relatable characters and situations that reflect contemporary societal issues, moving away from the grand themes of traditional tragedies that centered around nobility. As a result, bourgeois tragedy connects deeply with the evolving cultural landscape of its time, offering a more intimate exploration of human experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bourgeois tragedy emerged as a response to the changing social dynamics during the 17th and 18th centuries, where the middle class began to gain prominence in society.
2. This genre often featured protagonists who were everyday people facing moral dilemmas, contrasting with traditional tragedies that focused on noble figures.
3. Key playwrights associated with bourgeois tragedy include Jean-Baptiste Racine and Denis Diderot, who brought depth and complexity to middle-class characters.
4. The themes in bourgeois tragedy often revolve around issues like love, honor, betrayal, and the quest for personal happiness within societal constraints.
5. As it developed, bourgeois tragedy paved the way for later theatrical forms that emphasized realism and character-driven narratives in drama.

Review Questions

• How does bourgeois tragedy differ from traditional tragedy in terms of character focus and themes?
  • Bourgeois tragedy differs significantly from traditional tragedy by centering its narrative on middle-class characters rather than nobles or royalty. While traditional tragedies often deal with grand themes such as fate and heroic sacrifice, bourgeois tragedies focus on everyday moral dilemmas and relatable struggles faced by ordinary people. This shift allows for a more intimate connection between the audience and the characters, highlighting contemporary societal issues in a way that resonates with viewers.
• In what ways did playwrights like Racine and Diderot contribute to the development of bourgeois tragedy?
  • Playwrights such as Racine and Diderot were instrumental in shaping bourgeois tragedy by crafting complex middle-class characters who navigated their personal conflicts within a societal framework. Their works showcased emotional depth and moral ambiguity, making these characters more relatable to audiences of their time. This focus on the inner lives of middle-class individuals not only marked a departure from classical forms but also laid the groundwork for future dramatic explorations of realism in theater.
• Evaluate how bourgeois tragedy reflects the socio-economic changes occurring during the 17th and 18th centuries and its impact on later theatrical movements.
  • Bourgeois tragedy reflects significant socio-economic changes during the 17th and 18th centuries as it emerged alongside the rise of the middle class, showcasing their struggles and aspirations in a rapidly evolving society. This genre's focus on relatable characters and contemporary issues set a precedent for future movements like realism and naturalism in theater. By shifting attention from nobility to common people, bourgeois tragedy helped democratize storytelling in drama, influencing subsequent generations of playwrights who continued to explore everyday life and societal concerns on stage.

Related terms

Melodrama: A dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions and sensational events, often focusing on the struggles of ordinary people and moral conflicts.

Neoclassicism:

An artistic movement that sought to revive classical ideals in literature and art, emphasizing reason, order, and adherence to established forms.

Domestic drama: A theatrical genre that emphasizes everyday life and family relationships, often dealing with social issues pertinent to the middle class.