Commentary On Nature Of Tragedy - 2375 Words

Name: Chaitali Desai Paper: Research paper Topic :Nature of Tragedy â€Å"Nature of Tragedy† For many centuries, the tragedy continues to be perceived as the most heartwarming arrangement of drama because it incorporates the capability of transporting the spectator into the drama as well as allowing them to apprehend the characters, particularly the tragic hero. The tragedy was shaped by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, in a book called, The Poetics. It was composed fifty years after the death of Sophocles. Sophocles is the writer of the tragedy, Oedipus the King. Aristotle was a great admirer of Oedipus the King, considering it is the perfect tragedy. Not surprisingly, Aristotle’s analysis of tragedy in The Poetics fits†¦show more content†¦These events are the consequence of the main character’s own nature and practice of thought, and the actions create the plot of the story. He indicates that the medium of tragedy is the drama, not the narrative; with events raising pity and fear. What Aristotle means by â€Å"catha rsis† is purging or interpretation of misfortunate and fearful events that happen in the play. Aristotle believes that tragedy is higher and more philosophical than history because history relates to what has already happened, whereas a tragedy dramatizes what may happen. Therefore, a tragedy stimulates not only pity, but also fear in the audience and the reader. He goes on to speak about the parts that make up a tragedy. He believes that every tragedy must have six parts – plot, characters, diction, thought, spectacle, and melody. To begin with, plot is the most important feature of tragedy. Aristotle defines plot as the arrangement of the incidents (Aristotle 12). The plot is the soul of a tragedy. The plot must be a whole which includes a beginning, middle, and an end. Modern critics call the beginning the incentive moment. Incentive moment is when the play starts off with the cause and effect chain, but it is not dependent on anything outside the range of the play. For example, the causes are restrained but its effects are stressed. The middle part is called the climax. The