Plot soul of tragedy

1. Name: Neha Mehta
Roll no.: 17
Paper No.: 3-Literary Theory& Criticism
Topic: ‘ Plot’ is the soul (e.g. Oedipus)
Submitted to: Smt.S.B. Gardi &
Department of English
M.K. Bhavnagar University

2. Plot is the soul.
 The plot is the most important of the six parts
of tragedy, he ranks the remainder as follows,
from most important to least:
 Character
 Thought
 Diction
 Melody
 Spectacle.

3.  Plot is the ‘‘first principle,’’ the most important
feature of tragedy –the soul of tragedy.
 According to Aristotle, tragedies where the
outcome depends on a tightly constructed
cause- and – effect chain of action are superior
to those that depend primarily on the character
and personality of the protagonist.

4.  The plot must be “of a certain magnitude’’, both
quantitatively and qualitatively.
 Aristotle argues that plots should not be too
brief; the more incidents and themes that
playwright can bring together in an organic
unity, the greater the artistic value and richness
of the play.

5.  He further argues that Peripety and anognorisis
–most powerful means for tragic effect is part of
plot, not of character.
 Sophocles' Oedipus the king is regarded by
Aristotle as an instance of ideal plot for it
involves both Peripety and Discovery.

6. Climax
Unity of Action In
OedipusTheKing
Incentive Moment Resolution

7.  Unity of Action: Each of the incidents in this
play is part of a tightly constructed cause and
effect chain.
 The plague in Thebes prompts Oedipus to
send Creon to consult the oracle of Delphi;
the oracle’s reply that the murderer of Laius
most be banished from Thebes prompts
Oedipus pronounce a solemn curse on the
murderer and send for Teiresias.

8.  Teriesias states that Oedipus is the murderer,
but since the king knows himself to be
innocent, he accuses Creon of plotting with
Teiresias against him.
 As Aristotle recommends, this is directly
connected to the anagnorisis, for the
messenger and Herdsman piece together the
whole story of Oedipus, enabling him to
“recognize” his true identity, to gain the
essential knowledge he has lacked.

9.  ThankYou