Aristotelian

Tragedy
from Poetics
Where does tragedy come
from?
• The Greek philosopher
Aristotle first defined tragedy in
his book Poetics written in
about 330 BCE
Definition of Tragedy
(Aristotle’s)
• A tragedy is an artistic imitation of an
action that is serious, complete in itself,
and of an adequate magnitude. The
imitation is produced in language
embellished in more than one way and
is itself an action directly presented, not
narrated. And as for the proper
function, it is to arouse the emotions of
pity and fear; and to arouse this pity
and fear in such a way as to effect that
special purging off and relief of these
two emotions [catharsis]."
• from Aristotle on the Art of Poetry,
translated by Lane Cooper
Pity and Fear--Why?
• Pity--So the audience will sympathize with
and care for the hero
• Fear--So the audience will think that bad
things can happen to them, too
• Pity and fear are the natural human
responses to spectacles of pain and
suffering – especially to the sort of pain and
suffering that can strike anyone at any time.
• The effect is that we feel relief in the end
through catharsis, and are purged of these
feelings.
The Tragic Vision
• Tragedy usually focuses on a major
figure in society whose fall implicates
others – a family, a group within the
society, or the society as a whole.
• In the process, the protagonist
becomes isolated from society.
• While there may be the potential for
a “happy ending”, generally it is not
realized.
The Elements of Tragedy
• The conclusion is catastrophic and
seems inevitable.
• The outcome is the result of the
human limitations of the protagonist.
• The protagonist suffers, but the
suffering often seems
disproportionate to the offense.
• The protagonist’s suffering is
redemptive, being both a universal
learning experience and an example
of the human capacity for accepting
moral responsibility.
The Tragic Hero
Tragedy depicts the downfall of a
basically good person through some
fatal error or misjudgment, producing
suffering and insight on the part of
the protagonist and arousing pity and
fear on the part of the audience.
Admirable and Good
• The tragic hero must be essentially
admirable and good.
• The fall of a scoundrel or villain
evokes applause rather than pity.
Audiences cheer when the bad guy
goes down. We feel compassion for
someone we admire when that
character is in a difficult situation.
The nobler and more admirable the
person is, the greater our anxiety or
grief at his or her downfall.
 Tragic Flaw
• In a true tragedy, the hero’s demise
must come as a result of some
personal error or decision.
• There is no such thing as an
innocent victim in tragedy, nor can a
genuinely tragic downfall every be
purely a matter of blind accident or
bad luck.
• The tragic hero must always bear at
least some responsibility for his own
doom.
Elements of a Tragedy
ANAGORISIS

Tragic recognition or insight.

A moment of clairvoyant insight or

understanding in the mind of the
tragic hero as he suddenly
comprehends the web of fate in
which he is entangled.
Elements of a Tragedy
HAMARTIA

Tragic error.

A fatal error or simple mistake on the

part of the protagonist that eventually
leads to the final catastrophe. A
metaphor from archery, hamartia
literally refers to a shot that misses
the bullseye.
Elements of a Tragedy
HUBRIS

Violent transgression.

Hubris is the sort of insolent daring that

gets a person in deep trouble.
Sometimes translated as ‘false
pride’, hubris is a daring
overstepping of cultural codes or
ethical boundaries.
Elements of a Tragedy
NEMESIS

Retribution.

The inevitable payback or cosmic

punishment for acts of hubris.
Elements of a Tragedy
PERIPETEIA

Plot reversal.

A pivotal or crucial action on the part of

the protagonist that changes the
situation from seemingly secure to
vulnerable.
Elements of a Tragedy
CATHARSIS

Transformation through transaction.

A feeling of emotional purging on the

part of the audience during a
tragedy. The audience feels pity
and fear at first, only to feel relief and
exhilaration at the end through
catharsis.
An Example of a Tragedy
• Oedipus Rex
• Sophocles
• Video Clip