The derivation of the word 'tragedy' is uncertain (it may have come from two Greek words tragos [goat] and oide [song]). Its origins, though, lie in theatre.

This section contains definitions of tragedy and background information to the genre. You can trace Tragedy from its origins in Ancient Greece to the theatre of Shakespeare's day and read what Artistic Director Michael Boyd has to say about the RSC's 2004 Tragedies Season.