1. Aristotelian Tragedy

2. Definition
“Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; …”
In the form of action, not narrative
Includes incident arousing pity and fear
Accomplishes catharsis of emotions

3. Aristotle’s beliefs about drama
Tragedy – better than real
Imitation leads to learning
Epic poets became tragedians

4. Six parts of Aristotle’s tragedy
Plot
Characters
Diction
Thought
Spectacle
Melody

5. Plot Should extend only over a day or two
Unity of time and place
Should not utilize deus ex machina; should also exclude coincidences
Should provide a feasible denouement
Evokes pity or fear with these principles:
Reversal of intention (peripeteia) or Change of fortune (catastrophe)
Simple: a turn from happiness to misery or vice versa
Complex: hero brings about his own destruction (ironic)
Discovery (or recognition) - anagnorisis
Of someone’s identity or true nature
Of one’s own identity or true character
Of the nature of the gods and the universe
Ideal climax combines both reversal and discovery in a single action

6. Kinds of Recognition By signs – celestial, bodily marks/scars, tokens
Invented by poet
Memory at sight or hearing
Process of reasoning
Incidents themselves (“natural means”)

7. Tragic Hero’s Characteristics
Must be of noble blood
Audience must believe that action could happen even to them
Morally neutral – not good or bad
Hero must be imperfect so that audience can identify with him or her
Must have a “tragic flaw” (hamartia)
This is an error in judgment
(S)he doesn’t know enough

8. Other Character Qualities
Character should be “good or fine” – moral purpose related to class
“fitness of character” (true to type) – valor for a warrior; compassion for a woman
“true to life” (realistic)
“consistency” (true to themselves)
“necessary or probable” – must be logical
“true to life, yet more beautiful” (idealized)

9. Thought
Found “where something is proved to be or not be, or a general maxim is enunciated”
Concerns how speeches reveal character
Would also include the themes of a play

10. Diction Song or Melody Stylistic elements
Metaphors important to Aristotle
Song or Melody
Chorus should be fully integrated and function as any other actor in the play

11. Spectacle Least related to literature Should not be over-used
Aristotle felt superior poets relied on inner structure rather than spectacle (special effects)

12. Catharsis or purgation
“Pity” – for hero as he meets his fate
“Fear” – since we may meet a similar fate as the hero
Both are eventually relieved – audience is not overcome
Audience learns a lesson
Audience returns to health, balanced emotional state

13. Unity of Action

14. Works Cited Aristotle. Poetics. Mineola, NY: Dover, 1997.
Hardaway, Gail. “Aristotelian Tragedy.” Mesa, AZ: Mesa Community College. 6 Aug 2007.
McManus, Barbara F. “Outline of Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy in the Poetics.” NY: College of New Rochelle. Nov Aug. 2007