Tragedy Flashcards
What are the poetics?
Aristotle’s writing that tried to define tragedy and its characteristics
How should a tragedy be arranged?
On the complex plan
What should tragedies invoke?
Pity and fear
what effects does having a tragic hero with high position, importance or nobility have on the play?
The hero has further to fall- more striking and obvious
Therefore the effect on the audience is more moving and disturbing
The fall affects those around him, bringing chaos
How is the tragic hero moderate?
Neither excessively virtuous (too upsetting) or villainous (seems just). We must be able to sympathise with him and see traces of our own nature
How is the hero a man of passion rather than reason?
Unwilling to work out the issues of the situation clearly but sticks to his personal response. Principled and intransigent
How does the hero lack knowledge?
He is at odds with the world and himself, he does not understand his own instincts
This means he is divided by inner conflict, torn between different reactions.
What is hamartia?
Tragic flaw, error of judgement
What is hubris?
Pride and self confidence which leads to the hero over-reaching himself
What kind of downfall happens?
Physical, psychological, spiritual- resulting in death
How is the downfall usually started?
Mix of character and circumstance
There is a terrible ….. about the fall?
Inevitability. Fate
There is a strong sense of….
Cause and effect
There is often a
Reversal of fortune
What’s the major component of the tragedy and the hero’s mental torment?
Realisation of what he has caused
