Aristotle’s Perfect Tragedy

Ars Poetica or

The Poetics

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher

One of the most influential thinkers of all time

Wrote about physics, poetry, biology, zoology, logic, rhetoric, politics, ethics

Student of Plato Teacher of Alexander

the Great

Why Do We Care?

The reason that we study Aristotle’s perfect tragedy is because all literary tragedies are compared to and talked about using Aristotle’s ideas

You will need to know this for any future lit class in both high school and college

So, take notes!

The Perfect Tragedy

According to Aristotle, the best example of the perfect tragedy was Oedipus Rex.

As we continue, think of how Oedipus Rex meets each of the following requirements.

The Three Unities

According to Aristotle the perfect tragedy should hold to three unities:Time: the action should take place in 24

hours – ideally it should all be congruous, but 24 hours is ok

Place – one location – no set changesAction – just one plot – no sub plots (the mysterious fourth – mood – the entire play should

be serious – no comic relief)

The Tragic Hero

Five Parts

1. Must be a noble king or ruler

2. Must have a tragic flaw: the Greek word for tragic flaw is Hamartia Hubris: Pride, the

perfect tragic flaw 3. Downfall caused by his

own actions as a result of his tragic flaw

4. Recognize of his own demise

5. Die with honor and courage

Oh, the Insanity!

If the tragedy is done properly, the audience should be moved to a catharsis

Catharsis: purging of emotions, especially pity and fear

A catharsis should lead to a reinvigorated love of life

See, the cat is scared, you know, fear?…clever, huh?