Aristotle`s Definition of Tragedy

Aristotelian Tragedy
from The
Poetics
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
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.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
A true tragedy should evoke pity and fear on
the part of the audience.
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.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
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.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
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.
Aristotle’s Definition of 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.
Aristotle’s Definition of 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.
Aristotle’s Definition of 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.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
NEMESIS
Retribution.
The inevitable payback or cosmic
punishment for acts of hubris.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
PERIPATEIA
Plot reversal.
A pivotal or crucial action on the part of
the protagonist that changes the
situation from seemingly secure to
vulnerable.
Aristotle’s Definition of 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.
Works Cited
www.depaul.edu/~dsimpson/tlove/comictragic.html