What is TragedyFrom Aristotle’s Poetics

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.

Definition of Tragedy

Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero usually through some combination of tragic flaw, fate, and the will of the gods.

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.

Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is of noble stature that falls from grace. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle.

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.

Characteristics of a Tragic Hero

According to Aristotle:

1. Usually of noble birth

2. Hamartia – a.k.a. tragic flaw that brings the character’s downfall. (Macbeth’s intense ambition).

3. Peripeteia – Greek for sudden change. The sudden reversal of fortune. In tragedy, it’s a change from stability to destruction. Often brought about by the hero’s tragic flaw.

1. The murder of Banquo and Fleance, but Fleance gets away.

4. Hubris- a belief that the tragic hero is somehow above the fates, or in control of destiny.

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.

Hamartia/Tragic Flaw

Hamartia is a defect which keeps the tragic hero from being aware of the situation around him. The character does not understand (for much of the story) his part of creating the situation.

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.

The Hero’s UnderstandingAnagnorisis

The tragic hero has a “moment of enlightenment” near the end of the story. Change from ignorance to knowledge. Tragic hero understands what he has done wrong—

how he contributed to the tragic situation. The story often ends with the death of the tragic hero.

Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: U of Michigan P, 1967. Dorsch, T. R., trans. and ed. Aristotle Horace Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism. New York: Penguin, 1965. Ley, Graham. The Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1991. Reinhold, Meyer. Classical Drama, Greek and Roman. New York: Barrons, 1959.