Tragedy What is Tragedy?Catastrophe is part of tragedy, but a tragedy does not focus solely on the calamity itself. Catastrophe—great, often sudden event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, severe affliction Classical TragedyElements first established by Aristotle: “Imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; the language is embellished with each kind of artistic ornament; has catharsis through pity and fear to enable the purging of these emotions (catharsis)” Elements of Classical TragedyImitation Created work of art by man Consciously aware that the events, even if based on reality, are expressed artistically, which means they have certain artistic expectations. Elements of Classical TragedyAction sequence of events joined to create a whole The events/action are developed to bring about a desired result Elements of Classical TragedySerious The work of art deals with profound and universal problems of manSome examples include purpose and destiny, good and evil, other forces greater than man Elements of Classical TragedyMagnitude Greatness of rank or positionreached by heroic stature of characters; use of poetry (“elevated” use of language) to achieve meaning Character Central character is usually high born, nobleThe “importance” of the character reflects how “serious” the work of art is Character in Classical TragedyAn active protagonist is in conflict with opposing forces. The character moves from fortune to misfortune Conflict is internal, comes from spiritual realm, tests character’s integrity CatharsisThe purging of emotions through pity and fearPity—sharing in grief, compassion Fear—anxious concern, awe, reverence (think God) We purge to reach tranquility Tragic HeroThe central character (protagonist) in a tragedy. The tragic hero represents universal human qualities and is essentially good, but flawed.Flaw reflects errors in judgment tends to reflect errors in judgment. Tragic Hero CharacteristicsIs noble or high bornHas characteristic flaw or error of judgment Suffers reversal of fortune because of this flawDiscovers reversal was brought about by his/her own actions Tragic HeroHero elicits pity because his fate seems undeserved Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero or heroine, usually through some combination of hubris, fate, and the will of the gods. Tragic Heroanagnorisis--"knowing again" or "knowing back" or "knowing throughout" the tragic hero may achieve some revelation or recognition about human fate, destiny, and the will of the gods. (moves from ignorance to awareness of bond of love or hate) ...

1. Tragedy
What is Tragedy?Catastrophe is part of tragedy, but a tragedy
does not focus solely on the calamity itself.
Catastrophe—great, often sudden event that brings terrible loss,
lasting distress, severe affliction
Classical TragedyElements first established by Aristotle:
“Imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a
certain magnitude; the language is embellished with each kind
of artistic ornament; has catharsis through pity and fear to
enable the purging of these emotions (catharsis)”
Elements of Classical TragedyImitation
Created work of art by man
Consciously aware that the events, even if based on reality, are
expressed artistically, which means they have certain artistic
expectations.
Elements of Classical TragedyAction

2. sequence of events joined to create a whole
The events/action are developed to bring about a desired result
Elements of Classical TragedySerious
The work of art deals with profound and universal problems of
manSome examples include purpose and destiny, good and evil,
other forces greater than man
Elements of Classical TragedyMagnitude
Greatness of rank or positionreached by heroic stature of
characters; use of poetry (“elevated” use of language) to
achieve meaning
Character
Central character is usually high born, nobleThe “importance”
of the character reflects how “serious” the work of art is
Character in Classical TragedyAn active protagonist is in
conflict with opposing forces.
The character moves from fortune to misfortune
Conflict is internal, comes from spiritual realm, tests
character’s integrity
CatharsisThe purging of emotions through pity and fearPity—
sharing in grief, compassion
Fear—anxious concern, awe, reverence (think God)

3. We purge to reach tranquility
Tragic HeroThe central character (protagonist) in a tragedy.
The tragic hero represents universal human qualities and is
essentially good, but flawed.Flaw reflects errors in judgment
tends to reflect errors in judgment.
Tragic Hero CharacteristicsIs noble or high bornHas
characteristic flaw or error of judgment Suffers reversal of
fortune because of this flawDiscovers reversal was brought
about by his/her own actions
Tragic HeroHero elicits pity because his fate seems undeserved
Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero or heroine, usually
through some combination of hubris, fate, and the will of the
gods.
Tragic Heroanagnorisis--"knowing again" or "knowing back" or
"knowing throughout"
the tragic hero may achieve some revelation or recognition
about human fate, destiny, and the will of the gods.
(moves from ignorance to awareness of bond of love or hate)