The document discusses Aristotle's definition of tragedy and the ideal characteristics of a tragic hero according to Aristotle. Aristotle defines tragedy as the imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of magnitude, told through scenes of pity and fear to bring about a catharsis of emotions. For the ideal tragic hero, Aristotle stresses that the character must be good, appropriate for their status, true to life and consistent throughout the story.

1. THE IDEAL TRAGIC HERO

2. TRAGEDY
Aristotle defines tragedy as:
“the imitation of an action, serious, complete, and of a certain
magnitude, in a language beautified in different parts with different
kinds of embellishment, through actions and not narration, and
through scenes of pity and fear bringing about the ‘Catharsis’ of
these emotions.”

3. IDEAL CHARACTER ACCORDING TO ARISTOTLE
• In chapter 15 of ‘Poetics’, Aristotle laid stress on four qualities of the
tragic hero.
1. GOODNESS
2. APPROPRIATENESS
3. LIKENESS/ TRUE TO LIFE
4. CONSISTENCY

4. GOODNESS:
• To be a little better than an ordinary man.
• A character is assumed ‘good’, if his works and actions reveal a good
purpose behind them. This is irrespective of class to which he belongs.
APPROPRIATENESS:
• The characters should be true to their particular age, class, sex, or status.
• Each character should be given a role that is appropriate to his status or
situation.

5. LIKENESS:
• A character must be true to life.
• They should be fit to human nature.
• We should identify ourselves with the characters.
CONSISTENCY:
• The character must be seen as a whole, and consistent to what he is
presented as from beginning to end.
• The character should act and seem to think in a manner which we can
logically expect from that particular individual.