Critics and Context: Tragedy

Question 1

Catharsis (3)

Answer 1

• Aristotle
• A catharsis is a “purging or cleaning of the emotions”
• often in the form of a “moment of revelation.”

Question 2

While R Robinson declares that Othello is a “____________” _____________, Shakespeare clearly ________________ as he _____________________________ by staging the play in both Venice and Cyprus, over multiple days. However, while Shakespeare certainly breask the Unity of Time rule,

Answer 2

• “full and complete” Aristotelian tragedy
• subverts Aristotelian convention
• breaks the unity of time and unity of place rules

Question 3

Othello represents… (2)

Answer 3

• R Robinson
• Othello represents a “full and complete” Aristotelian tragedy

Question 4

Aristotle Three Unities (3)

Answer 4

Unity of Action: a tragedy should have one principal action.

Unity of Time: the action in a tragedy should occur in no more than 24 hours.

Unity of Place: a tragedy should exist in a single physical location.

Question 5

Aristotle suggests tragedy needs… (5)

Answer 5

• Aristotle
• Aristotle suggests tragedy needs “incidents arousing pity or fear”

- And “appropriate and pleasurable language”

- In order to create a spectacle of “moving magnitude”

- With the purpose of accomplishing a “catharsis of emotions.”