Aristotle on Tragedy

1. Aristotle on Tragedy

2. Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy “Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament. . . in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its katharsis of such emotions.” Aristotle

3. Tragedy must be about a Serious Subject • The stuff of tragedy must be serious – must be something monumental such as the assissnation of a President which significantly alters all our lives; it must have profound consequences involving people whose fate affects many beyond themselves; it is a public event rather than a private event.

4. Tragedy must have a Tragic Figure • The Tragic Figure • Must excite pity and fear – one who is neither evil nor extremely virtuous; misfortune for the Tragic Figure is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty – his Tragic Flaw. • Be of High Stature • Be extraordinary, not typical

5. The Tragic Figure must have a Tragic Flaw • Some error or frailty which brings about the Tragic Figure’s misfortune • Might be: ambition, pride, rashness, passion • External circumstances can also contribute to the downfall

6. Tragedy must have an Effective Plot • Plot must be: • Complete & Complex with a beginning, middle, & end • Events must lead naturally to what follows and point toward the end • End must follow naturally from what has gone before and conclude the action • Complex – moves in various directions by means of reversal and recognition • Reversal – accuser becomes the accused & the prosecuter becomes the defendant • Recognition – change from ignorance to knowledge; increases the tragic effect of the drama

7. Tragedy must have a “Certain Magnitude” • Action in a tragedy must have magnitude • Must be a convincing chain of events that change a situation from good to bad fortune

8. Tragedy must have “Embellished Language” • Aristotle says tragedy should be expressed in poetry – the highest form of expression in Aristotle’s time

9. Tragedy must take “the form of action, not of narrative” • Aristotle believes the lines should be acted, not simply read or told • Audience must see the drama unfold before them

10. Tragedy must “Evoke Pity & Fear” • Tragedy makes the audience fear that such events could happen to them • Tragedy makes the audience feel pity for the Tragic Figure • Audience feels pity in part because the Tragic Figure accepts his/her fate

11. Tragedy must evoke “Catharsis” • Catharsis is the process of purging the audience’s pity and fear • Catharsis allows the audience to leave uplifted because their emotions have been expended in the theater and they are purged for the time being • The Tragic Figure’s acceptance of his/her fate is an affirmation of human values • The audience receives solace through the insight provided by the Tragic Figure’s suffering

12. Tragedy includes Dramatic Irony • Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience knows things that the characters on stage do not; therefore, the audience has insight and can interpret actions and information differently than the characters.