Tragedy Flashcards
(21 cards)
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
Why is the tragedy awesome and exciting?
He does not suffer alone. He brings others down with him
What is particular to Shakespearean tragedy?
Sense that nature (the cosmos is caught up in the tragedy
How are tragedies negative?
A terrible waste
Cruelty - dramatic irony
Implication that life is worth nothing
How are tragedies positive?
There is virtue and loyalty in the world
The heroes learn self knowledge
They leave the world a better place
The tragedy is fitting
What are the two responses we experience?
We witness the worst that can be known of man and nature
We see the very best of humanity
What is poetic justice ?
Ironic yet appropriate form of justice, dispensed by forces more abstract than. Legal justice. Fate is at work.
