Aristotle on Tragedy 

Definition of Tragedy

“Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament. . . in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions.”     Aristotle

 Must have a Tragic Figure

• Must excite pity and fear – one who is neither evil nor extremely virtuous; misfortune for the Tragic Figure is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty – his Tragic Flaw.
  

• Be of High Stature

• Be extraordinary, not typical

Must be Serious

The stuff of tragedy must be serious – must be something monumental such as the assassination of a President which significantly alters all our lives; it must have profound consequences involving people whose fate affects many beyond themselves; it is a public event rather than a private event.

 Must have a Tragic Flaw

• Some error or frailty which brings about the Tragic Figure’s misfortune
  

• 7 Deadly Sins: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony
• External circumstances can also contribute to the downfall

The Tragic Hero

• Must be a noble King or Ruler (but the audience should be able to identify with the hero)

• Must have a tragic flaw:   Hubris (Pride)

• Downfall must be caused by his own actions and must be a result of his tragic flaw

• Must have recognition of his own demise

• He should die with honor and courage

Tragedy must have a Certian Magnitude

• Action in a tragedy must have magnitude
• Must be a convincing chain of events that change a situation from good to bad fortune.

Tragedy must have “Embellished Language”

Aristotle says tragedy should be expressed in poetry – the highest form of expression in Aristotle’s time

Tragedy must take “the form of action, not of narrative”

• Aristotle believes the lines should be acted, not simply read or told.
• Audience must see the drama unfold before them.

Evoke Pity & Fear

• Tragedy makes the audience fear that such events could happen to them
• Tragedy makes the audience feel pity for the Tragic Figure
  

Tragedy must evoke “Catharsis”

• Catharsis is the process of purging the audience’s pity and fear
• Catharsis allows the audience to leave uplifted because their emotions have been expended in the theater
• The Tragic Figure’s acceptance of his/her fate is an affirmation of human values
  
• The audience receives solace through the insight provided by the Tragic Figure’s suffering
  

Tragedy includes Dramatic Irony

• Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience knows things that the characters on stage do not; therefore, the audience has insight and can interpret actions and information differently than the characters.
  

Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy

PERIPATEIA

The Perfect Tragedy

• According to Aristotle, the best example of the perfect tragedy was Oedipus Rex.

Aristotelian Method 

1. Plot
2. Character
3. Theme (Thought)
4. Diction
5. Rhythm (Melody)
6. Spectacle   

Plot

• Complete & Complex with a beginning, middle, & end
• Events must lead naturally to what follows and point toward the end
• End must follow naturally from what has gone before and conclude the action
• Complex – moves in various directions by means of reversal and recognition
• Reversal – accuser becomes the accused & the prosecuter becomes the defendant
• Recognition – change from ignorance to knowledge; increases the tragic effect of the drama

Three Unities

• Time:  the action should take place in 24 hours – ideally it should all be congruous, but 24 hours is ok
• Place – one location – no set changes
• Action – just one plot – no sub plots
• (the mysterious fourth – mood the entire play should be serious – no comic relief)

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Character

• Character will support the plot i.e. personal motivations will be intricately connected parts of the cause-and-effect chain of actions producing pity and fear in the audience.
• “Good or fine”
• “True to type”
• “True to Life”
• “Consistent”
• “Necessary or probable”​

Theme (Thought)

• True and Good
• Logical
• Complex

Diction

• “expression of the meaning in words” which are proper and appropriate to the plot, characters, and the end of the tragedy.

• Aristotle is greatly concerned with metaphors

  “It is the mark of genius, for to make good metaphors implies an eye for resemblances”

Rhythm (Melody)

• Musical Element of the Chorus (Narration in Modern storytelling)
• Chorus should be fully integrated into the play like an actor, choral odes should not be “mere interludes,” but should contribute to the unity of the plot.

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Oh, the Insanity!!!!