Key Tragic Terminology To Use

Question 1

Hamartia

Answer 1

An error or series of errors, such as an error in judgement

“The tragic downfall of a character” / “The buildup of their flaws”

Question 2

Huberis

Answer 2

Excessive pride (the most common form of hamartia) usually shown in the behaviour of the protagonist, which leads to their downfall

(E.g : Willy letting his pride get in the way of accepting his failures)

Question 3

Catharsis

Answer 3

The feeling of pleasure or emotional release produced (through pity and fear) in the audience.

Question 4

Peripetia

Answer 4

A sudden surprising turn, something unexpected.

Question 5

Pathos

Answer 5

Pathos is a rhetorical appeal that aims to evoke emotions in an audience, often through vivid language, storytelling, or personal anecdotes.

EMOTION

“In “Othello,” pathos is used through Othello’s heart-wrenching emotional turmoil and tragic downfall, evoking empathy and sorrow in the audience.”

Question 6

Lagos

Answer 6

Logos refers to the persuasive appeal in rhetoric that relies on logical reasoning, evidence, and rational arguments to convince an audience.
- Using logic and rational thinking

LOGIC

“In “Othello,” logos is used through logical arguments and reasoning by characters like Iago to manipulate Othello’s beliefs and by others such as Cassio and Emilia to expose deceit and confront the tragic consequences of their actions.”

Question 7

Ethos

Answer 7

Ethos refers to the persuasive appeal based on the credibility, authority, or character of the speaker or source in order to convince an audience of the validity or reliability of an argument or message.

CREDIBILITY / TRUST

“In “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Margaret Atwood employs ethos through Offred’s firsthand narrative, linking to credibility and authenticity to the portrayal of Gilead’s oppressive society.”

Question 8

Myopia

Answer 8

Lacking in foresight or discernment : narrow in perspective and without concern for broader implications

“Closed-minded” - In literal terms

“Willy Loman’s myopia, exemplified by his narrow focus on achieving the American Dream through material success as a salesman, ultimately blinds him to the deeper values of love, family, and personal fulfillment in “Death of a Salesman.”

Question 9

Anagnorisis

Answer 9

The moment when a character makes an important discovery, usually the realisation or recognition of their hamartia

Arguably he only really has a partial anagnorisis which is near the end of play where he realises that Biff loves him. “Biff - he likes me!” “He cried to me!” The realisation he should have had is that Biff loves me - regardless of who I am. Instead he is blinded by his lifelong goal of being liked and sacrifices himself for Biff.

A big part of the tragedy is that Willy Loman doesn’t have an anagnorisis. The anagnorisis he should have had long ago is depicted through Biff with his dreams of pasture and farming. If Willy had truly had a moment of realisation he would have not killed himself - especially since Linda remarks at the end of the play that they had paid off the house. Willy was nearly done with having to work to his death but he takes his life before he can rest.

Question 10

Megalopsychia

Answer 10

Greek term that translates to “magnanimity” (generocity) or “greatness of soul” in English.
It refers to the virtue of having a noble and generous attitude towards oneself and others, combining a sense of self-worth with humility and the pursuit of moral excellence.

greatness of soul (Aristotle)

“Willy Loman persues being important and successful, despite his insecurities and misguided priorities - reflecting a distorted resemblence of megalopsychia.”

Question 11

Tragic Hero

Answer 11

In Aristotle’s beliefs : the protagonist is a man or woman or high rank, power or fortune. They can be noble (of noble birth) or show wisdom (by virtue of their birth). Aristotle believed they should be neither wholly good nor bad, so that the audience could identify with them

- Othello > General of army

Miller argued Willy Loman could also be a tragic hero :
“Any individual who battles to preserve his or her sense of self, to stand up for their beliefs is capable of becoming a tragic hero.”

Question 12

Tragic Heroine

Answer 12

A character in a story who is typically a woman and who experiences a downfall or tragic ending due to her own flaws or circumstances beyond her control.

Question 13

Soliloquy

Answer 13

Like an internal Monologue, a speech a character makes to the audience or themsleves

Question 14

Diegesis

Answer 14

The fictional world the play or story is set in

(Including characters / setting / events)

(E.G : Everything that occurs in Othello’s storyline makes up it’s diegesis)

Question 15

Agency

Answer 15

The ability a character has to take action to affect the events of the story

“A person who takes action”

Typically used in a negative sense e.g : The lack of agency a character has

Question 16

Mimesis (Imitation)

Answer 16

Imitation means showing human actions and emotions in a way that feels real to the audience

(By watching tragic events unfold, people can relate to the characters and their struggles, which helps them understand life better and think about its complexities more deeply.)

Question 17

Catastrophe

Answer 17

An event causing great and sudden damage or suffering, usually a reversal of fortune

In Greek : Its another word for PERIPETEIA

Question 18

Domestic Tragedy

Answer 18

A drama set in a household, apparently without grand or ambitious themes

The tragedy has a smaller impact and takes place in a smaller setting.

• Death of a Salesman
• Othello (Act 4 - 5)

Question 19

Epic Tragedy

Answer 19

Plays with a grand or ambitious theme

The tragedy has a bigger impact and takes place in a bigger setting.

• Othello (Act 1 - 3)

Question 20

Modern Tragedy

Answer 20

Plays written in the late nineteenth or twentieth century

• Death of a salesman

Question 21

Contempary Tragedy

Answer 21

Plays written in the late twentieth or twenty-first centuries

Question 22

Antagonist

Answer 22

A character in a story who is presented as the main enemy and rival of the protagonist.

“The main villain / opposition of the story”

The antagonist is often seen in opposition to the protagonist

Question 23

Protagonist

Answer 23

In dramatic terms, the first major character who offers a particular view.

“The Main Character”

The protagonist is often seen in opposition to the antagonist

Question 24

Modern Audience

Answer 24

Audiences who are viewing the play decades / centuries on from when the play was actually written

“A unique and modernised view on circumstances”

Question 25

Contempary Audience

Answer 25

Audiences who are viewing the play back then when the play was actually written.

With the same “outdated” viewpoints

• Death of a Salesman: 1949, post-World War II disillusionment.
• Othello : Early 17th century (1600s), jealousy and race.
• The Handmaid’s Tale: 1985, dystopian gender oppression.
• Keats’s Poetry: Early 19th century (1800s), Romantic beauty.
• The Kite Runner: 2003, Afghan turmoil and redemption.