Name:- Rathod Neha R.Class:- M.A. sem- 1 Roll No:- 33Email Id:- neharathod108@gmail.comYear:- 2015 – 2016Paper No:- 3Topic:- Aristotle Definition of Tragedy

M.K. Bhavnagar university

department of English

About Aristotle’s Life

Aristotle was a great philosopher and Scientist of Greek. He was born in the Macedonian city of Stagirus in 384 BCE. Became Plato’s student at 18 years old. subject to Plato's philosophies.Developed his own Philosophies after Plato's death. Died in Euboea in 322 BCE.

About Plato

Plato was a master of Aristotle and also great Philosopher like Aristotle.

He was first systemic critic.

“Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament. . . in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions.”

- Aristotle

Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy

In keeping with his taxonomy of the arts, Aristotle groups the six part of tragedy according to the medium, object and manner of imagination.

Medium

Verbal Expression Song Compotation

Object

Plot Character Thought

Manner

Staging

Six part of Tragedy

The stuff of tragedy must be serious – must be something monumental such as the assassination of a President which significantly alters all our lives; it must have profound consequences involving people whose fate affects many beyond themselves; it is a public event rather than a private event.

Tragedy must be about a Serious Subject

The Tragic FigureMust excite pity and fear – one who is

neither evil nor extremely virtuous; misfortune for the Tragic Figure is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty – his Tragic Flaw.

Be of High StatureBe extraordinary, not typical

Tragedy must have a Tragic Figure

Tragedy must have an Effective Plot

Complete & Complex with a beginning, middle, & end

Events must lead naturally to what follows and point toward the end

End must follow naturally from what has gone before and conclude the action

Complex – moves in various directions by means of reversal and recognition

Tragedy must take “the form of action, not of narrative”

Aristotle believes the lines should be acted, not simply read or told.

Audience must see the drama unfold before them.

Tragedy makes the audience fear that such events could happen to them.

Tragedy makes the audience feel pity for the Tragic Figure.

Audience feels pity in part because the Tragic Figure accepts his/her fate.

Tragedy must “Evoke Pity & Fear”

Thank you….