This document summarizes Aristotle's definitions and analysis of tragedy and comedy from his work Poetics. According to Aristotle, tragedy depicts a serious action that elicits pity and fear and ends in suffering, while comedy depicts situations that reverse unexpectedly or that involve recognition and reward. Tragedy focuses more on plot over character. It leads to a catharsis or purification of emotions through the audience's contemplation of pity and fear portrayed in a work.