Tragedy

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Tragedy
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• Tragedy serious play or drama with an unhappy
  ending
• Dramatic Irony when the character does not know
  what is clear to the audience
• Aristotle tragedy is the imitation of an action
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• A tragic figure . . .
• Is better than normal people,
• Has a reversal of fortune,
• Recognizes consequences of his/her actions,
• Has uncommon suffering with uncommon dignity.

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• In Antigone we add this . . .
• Aristotle wanted to go more in depth than a
  history. , tragedy is the imitation of an action
  in which the incidents arouse pity and fear -
  catharsis

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• Tragedy, however, is rooted in the fundamental
  order of the universe it creates a
  cause-and-effect chain that clearly reveals what
  may happen at any time or place because that is
  the way the world operates. Tragedy therefore
  arouses not only pity but also fear, because the
  audience can envision themselves within this
  cause-and-effect chain

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• Aristotles characteristics of a tragedy
• - Centered on the suffering of the protagonist
• - Ends in disaster
• - Poetic language
• - Dramatic, linked with religious ritual and
  artistic performance
• - Catharsis release of emotions of pity and
  fear by audience, evokes compassion
• for protagonist
• - Usually trilogies (think modern trilogies)
• - Protagonist suffering affirmation of human
  values
• All characteristics from before
• hubris pride/over self-confidence leads
  protagonist to disregard divine warning (i.e.
  Julius Caesar and Ides of March) or an important
  law (Antigone)

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• Characters and Elements of a Greek Tragedy
• Antagonist Character or Force opposing
  protagonist, gives rise to conflict
• Protagonist Hero, main character
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• Eventually tragic heroes
• fall from great heights or high esteem
• realize they have made an irreversible mistake
• face and accept death with honor
• meet a tragic death