TRAGEDY

2

3

Far out Sir! All you do is talk about

yourself. Teach us for once. I don’t go on about the time

that I was on Sunrise.

4

Shut up Rhys!

5

What did you say? I can’t hear a thing way up here. Sir, can you turn the

aircon down?

6

I know, I can’t see a thing down

here.

7

How do you think I feel? I still have black eye

brows from yesterday.

8

Me too!

  “In tragedy people are tested by great suffering and must face

decisions of ultimate consequence. Some meet the challenge with deeds

of despicable cruelty, while others demonstrate their ability to confront and surpass adversity, winning our

admiration and proving the greatness of human potential.” (Brown)

A TRAGIC HEROAccording to Aristotle, a tragic hero is someone “…who is neither outstanding in virtue and righteousness; nor is it through badness or villainy of his own that he falls into misfortune, but rather through some flaw [hamartia]” (Grice). A tragic hero is someone who experiences unmerited misfortune which is brought about by fate rather than an action the hero takes. One of the reasons that Oedipus fell so hard was that he thought that he was incapable of making mistakes, when in fact he was the reason Thebes was in such turmoil. He spends his life trying to run from his destiny which only causes him to fulfill it. A tragic hero should be a person who has both flaws and redeeming qualities. Oedipus possesses both pride and great leadership skills. These two traits combine to create a rather balanced character.

“Tragic characters are those who take life seriously and seek worthwhile goals” (Brown)

“The tragic protagonist is always larger than life, a person of action whose decisions determine the fate of others and seem to shake the world

itself. ” (Brown)

INFLUENCE ON AUDIENCEIn a tragedy, the audience is expected to respond to certain elements of the play. The actions of the plot should cause the audience to pity the tragic hero. This ties into the characteristics of the tragic hero. The audience feels that they can identify to Oedipus’ situation.

Also, the audience should fear the situation. Because the tragic hero is much like the average person, the audience gets the feeling that a similar thing could happen to them.

 “The common man is a potential subject for tragedy...” (Brown)

PLAY AS A TRAGEDY

Tragedy is, “'any serious and dignified drama that describes a conflict between the hero (protagonist) and a superior force (destiny, chance, society, god) and reaches a sorrowful conclusion that arouses pity or fear in the audience.'” (Grice). In the play the audience pities the characters multiple times. Many times, the lessons learned in a tragic are intended to be transferred over to mankind.

“Tragedy, then, is an imitation of a noble and complete action, having the proper magnitude; it employs language that has been

artistically enhanced . . . ; it is presented in dramatic, not narrative form, and achieves, through the representation of

pitiable and fearful incidents, the catharsis of such incidents" (Aristotle)

13

This is so boring. No wonder why I look out

the window all the time……. “Look there’s

Rundell”.

14

Yeap. The chicks dig

the Rundell.

15

Wow. I look like a serial killer in this

photo.

16

Me too. But since I started dating Dana I’ve had a complete makeover. Our six month anniversary

is coming up. What should I get her?

17

I don’t want a present Cammy Wammy, I just want your love.