What is a tragedy according to Aristotle?

Aristotle defines tragedy in Book VI as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the …

How does Aristotle define tragedy and comedy?

Aristotle finds that tragedy deals with serious, important, and virtuous people. Comedy, on the other hand, treats of less virtuous people and focuses on human “weaknesses and foibles”.

How does Aristotle define tragedy and tragic characters?

In Poetics, Aristotle suggests that the hero of a tragedy must evoke a sense of pity and fear within the audience, stating that “the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity.” In essence, the focus of the hero should not be the loss of his goodness.

In which chapter Aristotle defines tragedy?

Aristotle notes in the sixth chapter of the Poetics that “Tragedy is not a representation of persons nor, primarily, of ethics, but rather of life” (2) and, further on, adds that a tragedy is impossible without a plot, but there may be one without ethical standards (3).

How does Aristotle differentiate tragedy and epic?

Aristotle seems to treat tragedy and epic poetry as largely similar. They are both meant to be imitations of great deeds, noble heroes, and tragic suffering, the main difference being that tragedy conveys all this by means of action, while epic poetry does so by means of language alone.

What is tragedy according to Aristotle Wikipedia?

In theatre, a tragedy as defined by Aristotle is a play that ends badly for the hero or heroine or others. A tragedy is usually about a person who has many good qualities, but also has one poor quality (called a “tragic flaw”) that causes trouble for him, and maybe his family or friends.

How does Aristotle define a tragic hero?

The present study investigates the tragic hero, defined in Aristotle’s Poetics as “an intermediate kind of personage, not pre-eminently virtuous and just” whose misfortune is attributed, not to vice or depravity, but an error of judgment. The hero is fittingly described as good in spite of an infirmity of character.

What makes a tragedy a tragedy?

Tragedy is a genre of story in which a hero is brought down by his/her own flaws, usually by ordinary human flaws – flaws like greed, over-ambition, or even an excess of love, honor, or loyalty. Sometimes, people use the word “tragedy” for any sad event.

Why does Aristotle regard tragedy as greater than the epic?

Tragedy, Aristotle now argues, is superior to epic. Tragedy contains all the elements of the epic, but manages to present its story in a much shorter span of time and with a greater degree of unity. The concentration of the tragic plot heightens its impact on the audience.

What are the main characters of tragedy according to Aristotle?

Aristotle defines tragedy according to seven characteristics: (1) it is mimetic, (2) it is serious, (3) it tells a full story of an appropriate length, (4) it contains rhythm and harmony, (5) rhythm and harmony occur in different combinations in different parts of the tragedy, (6) it is performed rather than narrated.

What is tragedy according to Aristotle PDF?

Definition of Tragedy: “Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and …