English Exam (Drama/Tragedy) Flashcards
Drama
“Imitated human action”
-Aristotle
Necessary Elements of Drama:
- A story
- Told in action
- By actors who impersonate the characters
Drama began…
As a religious ceremony
Dramas were performed…
In honor of the god Dionysus
Tragedy
Must be serious, in embellished language, in the form of action (not narration) and arouse pity and fear in the audience
Tragedy is a drama…
Where the main character is overcome by the obstacles facing him, is a representation of a life brought to catastrophe through a tragic flaw or forces beyond their control (ex. the gods)
Tragic hero
- Is a man of great reputation, but not preeminently virtuous or just
- Who, however brings misfortune on himself
- Not, however, by vice or depravity, but through some flaw in character (tragic flaw)
- And, who moreover arouses in the spectator pity and fear
Catharsis
Aristotle insists that the function of tragedy is the purgation of pity and fear. Pity for characters on stage; fear for oneself that some similar evil may befall one. The experience is not painful, but satisfying and enjoyable
Step 1 in Tragic Action
Establish the enveloping situation, the “environment” or “world” in which the action will take place
Step 2 in Tragic Action
Establish the specific situation
Step 3 in Tragic Action
Introduce the hero and boldly exhibit the qualities of his character that will ultimately destroy him
Step 4 in Tragic Action
Show the temptation of the hero
Step 5 in Tragic Action
Show the hero in self-debate which ends in self-committment
Step 6 in Tragic Action
Show the fatal act itself
Step 7 in Tragic Action
Represent the hero in a succession of “fatal decisions” made in accord with his previously established character (with his fatal flaw)
