Macbeth by shakespeare ii. write the difference between a tragedy and a comedy
Answers
Tragedies and comedies both differs by the way they end. Shakespeare being the greatest dramatist of all times, followed the same (Aristotle's models). If you read through Aristotle's Poetics you'll come to know that Tragedies were held in high repute as compared to Comedies. Tragedies like Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, ends with the death of the main characters (that's why tragedies), they are all noblemen, possessing great reputation, their hamartia (ambition, jealousy,etc) causes a greater fall. The greater the man, the greater the fall.
On the other hand his Comedies (Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night's Dream, etc) too records problems, obstacles but ends in marriages, reunions (that's why Comedies). One major difference between that differentiate these two genres is the involvement of commoners or plebeians in the comedies (Bottom in Midsummer Night's dream is an example). Use of everyday dialect in place of standard language too differentiate comedies and tragedies.
In the period Shakespeare was writing, comedies were considered a genre lower than tragedies. What sets apart Shakespeare from the dramatists of his times is his mingling of comedy and tragedy (tragicomedy).
If you want to read further how tragedy and comedies were viewed and valued at that time read Angela Carter's brilliant tribute to Bard in her novel Wise Children.