Comparison between Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and Dryden’s definition of Play.
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Name Roll No : 32 Paper : Literary Theory And Criticism M.A : Sem 1 Enrolment No : PG -15101032 Year : 2015-16 Email : [email protected] Submitted To : Smt. S.B Gardi Department of English Maharajakrishnakumarsinhji • Bhavnagar University Comparison between Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and Dryden’s definition of Play.
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Transcript of Comparison between Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and Dryden’s definition of Play.
Name : Ravi RajyaguruRoll No : 32Paper : Literary Theory And CriticismM.A : Sem 1Enrolment No : PG -15101032Year : 2015-16Email : [email protected] To : Smt. S.B Gardi Department of English
Maharajakrishnakumarsinhji• Bhavnagar University
Comparison between Aristotle’s definition of tragedy and Dryden’s definition of Play.
Definition Of Tragedy And Play By Aristotle And Dryden :-
Definition of Tragedy
“Tragedy , then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in the language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; though pity and fear effecting the proper purgation- catharsis of these and similar emotions.”
Definition Of Play
Just and lively image of human nature,
representing its passions and humors, and the changes of fortune to
which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of
mankind.
Tragedy is the “Imitation of an action” according to “the law of probability or necessity.”
Aristotle indicates that the medium of tragedy is drama, not narrative; tragedy “shows” rather than “tells.”
The chief mood of tragedy is sadness. In this way tragedy reflects seriousness.
Aristotle says that the action of tragedy must be complete. In other words, it should have a Beginning, middle and end.
Magnitude means size or length. According to Aristotle tragedy should neither too long nor too short.
More use of metaphors can make language grand and quite well.
According to the definition, drama is an ‘image’ of ‘human nature’, and the image is ‘just’ and ‘lively’. By using the word ‘just’ Dryden seems to imply that literature imitates human actions. For Dryden, ‘poetic imitation’ is different from an exact, servile copy of reality, for, the imitation is not only ‘just’; it is also ‘lively’.
Aristotle says that Tragedy is an imitation of an action while Dryden says that Play is a lively image of human nature.
In Aristotle’s definition manner of imitation should be action , not narration as in epic, for it is meant to be dramatic representation , not mere storytelling, in the case of Dryden , it is not slavish imitation , but imaginative creation that Dryden means by ‘Just’ and ‘ Lively’ image of human nature .
According to Aristotle pity and fear are used in tragedy to purify the emotions of mankind. Whereas Dryden says that passions and humors are used to delight and instruct mankind.
Aristotle’s definition has ended with ‘catharsis’ while the definition of Dryden has ‘delight’.
Definition of Tragedy
It is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude.
It has the power to arouse pity and fear.
The power of sorrowfulness, means unhappiness.
It affects to the soul, excite the catharsis
And above all to move towards regret.
Definition of Play
It is not slavish imitation , but imaginative creation that Dryden means by ‘Just’ and ‘ Lively’ image of human nature.
It has the power to arouse aesthetic delight.
The power of transport,means happiness.
It affects to the soul, excite the passion.
And above all to move towards admiration.
