Aristotle's Theory of Tragedy (Aristotle: 384
BCE - 322 BCE)
Aristotle's Poetics is the first attempt to
define the characteristics of tragedy and its
effects upon the spectator. Aristotle's theory
is based on Sophoclean drama, since he
regarded this as the mature form of tragedy.
Aristotle defined tragedy as "an imitation of
an action that is serious, complete, and of a
certain magnitude; in 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; through pity and fear effecting the
proper purgation of these emotions."
The Six Basic Elements of Tragedy:
1) Plot
2) Character
3) Thought
4) Diction
5) Song
6) Spectacle
1) Plot:
The plot is an imitation (mimesis) of action
and life, happiness and misery; plot is the
soul of tragedy
In the play, the sequence of events should
adhere to the following pattern:
a) reversal: (peripeteia) a change in the
fortunes of the tragic heor from good to bad the first reversal is the crisis
b) recognition: (anagnorisis) the hero gains
some insight or truth about himself/ herself
or others
c) suffering: the hero's downfall-suffering is
beyond what is deserved
d) catharsis: the purging or letting out of the
emotions of pity and fear at the time of the
suffering of the hero. Pity is what we feel at a
misfortune that is out of all proportion to the
faults of the person. Fear is what we feel
when misfortune comes upon someone like
ourselves. We can picture ourselves in the
same situation; therefore we feel fear. In
having this pity and fear aroused by suffering
of another we need not undergo the same
suffering to understand such an experience in
life.
2) Character:
Character is not as important as the action or
plot. It is merely the agent of the action.
The Tragic Hero: The tragic hero has to be
drawn from the great families or gods. This
ensures that that the tragedy is not just
confined to the individual or to the family. It
now affects the entire nation.. The tragic hero
will more effectively arouse pity and fear if he
/ she is not thoroughly evil, but a person like
any of us, though the tragic effect will be
stronger if he / she is rather better than most
of us and if he / she faces destiny with
courage.
3) Thought:
Misfortunes if not brought about by vice or
depravity, but by some error due to a tragic
flaw or error of judgment (hamartia). Often
this tragic flaw was seen by the Greeks to be
one of excessive pride (hubris). They also
questioned the extent of the role of fate
(moira) in the hero's downfall. The
punishment for the hero must be considered
just - hence the term "nemesis" which means
just punishment.
This concerns itself with the serious theme or
appropriateness of the message.
4) Diction:
The choice of words is vital to the dramatic
production.
5) Song:
Music and lyrical poetry were a major part of
the spectacle (chorus).
6) Spectacle:
There are sections in the play of outstanding
horror intended to arouse pity and fear in the
audience (pathos). However, violence is
never presented on stage. The pageantry is
created by costume, props, masks, voice, etc.
The Role of the Chorus
1. to serve as the common person's reactions
2. to affirm the religious and political outlook
of society
3. to comment on the action by creating a
psychological and emotional background to
the action
4. to introduce and question new characters
5. to give information
6. to point out significant events
7. to separate episodes
General Information of Interest
 actors were respected as servants of
Dionysus and were exempt from military
service
 men performed women's roles
 usually there were only three actors per
production
 the use of masks allowed for the use of a
limited number of actors in numerous roles
Re: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Oedipus Rex is a religious play dedicated to
the god, Dionysus, the god of wine and
fertility. The festival of Dionysus is usually a
spring festival.
Before the serious, morality play, sometimes
there was a play with an actor dressed up as
a sacrificial goat (satyr). This play would
mock the seriousness of the following play hence the term "satire."