Why Tragedies are Alluring Name: _____________________ ( ) Class: _________ Date: _________________ 1. What ancient text has influenced our understanding of tragedy? A The Republic by Plato B The Poetics by Aristotle C The Bible D The Iliad by Homer 2. Which of the following is not a component of the tragic hero? A He is elevated in rank, but remains relatable B He possesses a tragic flaw C He suffers a downfall D He crosses a physical threshold into a special world of adventure 3. The feeling of relief and emotional purification experienced by the audience after the catastrophic events of the tragedy occur is often referred to as _____. A Catharsis B Hubris C Hamartia D Tragic flaw 4. A good tragedy evokes fear in the audience, specifically fear of _____? A Not being able to fully understand what the story is all about B Not knowing if the tragic hero will make it out alive C Falling victim to the same or similar catastrophe as the tragic hero D Becoming so engrossed in the drama, that you neglect your responsibilities 5. A good tragedy also evokes pity in the audience, specifically, pity for _____? A The friends and family that are hurt because of the tragic hero's actions B The hero and the height of his fall C The fear that the story has caused the audience D The actors that have to face the pressure of an emotionally sensitive audience Why Tragedies are Alluring 6. Explain how Oedipus exhibits hubris? 7. How is Oedipus elevated in rank and ability? What characteristic makes him relatable? 8. Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear and Brutus are just a few of Shakespeare's characters that may be considered tragic heroes. Identify some tragic characters from recent films or books. Aristotle’s Poetics, is (as far as we can tell) the earliest work on literary theory, and it dedicates a portion to a discussion of tragedy. Written nearly two thousand years ago, it remains influential in our understanding and appreciation of tragedy even today. Roughly one hundred pages in length, The Poetics can be read in a sitting or two. You can read the full text here. The BBC Radio4’s In Our Time, gathers a panel of experts to discuss this important work, and provides great insights into its reception and influence through the ages. Perhaps the greatest examples of tragedy from antiquity come from Sophocles in his Oedipus trilogy, Oedipus the King, Oedipus in Colonus and Antigone. The works of Renaissance playwrights, including William Shakespeare, are replete with the tropes identified by Aristotle. The great twentieth century American playwright Arthur Miller, who penned The Crucible and Death of a Salesman, also wrote a piece for the New York Times in 1949 titled “Tragedy and the Common Man.” In it, he provides an interesting modern, American take on the Aristotelian ideas of the tragic hero. Read it and see what you think.
