What is a Tragedy?

Aristotle 384-322 B.C.

TRAGEDY

Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero or heroine, usually through some combination of

• hubris (negative pride), • fate (a predetermined ending), and • the will of God or the gods.

The Tragic Hero

"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." - Marilyn Monroe

The tragic hero has powerful wish…

…to achieve some goal, but they run into obstacles such as:

• human frailty (flaws in reason, hubris, society),

• the gods (through oracles, prophets, fate), • or nature.

A change in fortune…• Aristotle says that the tragic hero should

have a flaw and/or make some mistake.

The hero does not have to die at the end, but he/she must undergo a change in fortune.

revelation or recognition

In addition, the tragic hero may achieve some revelation or recognition about:

• Fate (human lives are scripted and we have no choice)• Destiny (what we become isdetermined by what we choose to do.)

From this revelation comes…

WisdomAristotle calls this sort of recognition "a change from ignorance to awareness of a bond of love or hate."