1. Tragedy, Catastrophe, or Misfortune?
English 4

2. Essential Questions:
By the end of class, you will be able to answer the following questions:
Does ”tragedy” as a literary genre exist today only in fiction?
What are the elements of tragedy that can be found in fiction and in our lives today?

3. Tragedy in Literature
A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances.

4. Tragic Hero in Literature
Here we have basic characteristics of a tragic hero explained by Aristotle, including:
Hamartia – It is the tragic flaw that causes downfall of a hero.
Hubris – It is excessive pride and disrespect of hero for natural order.
Peripeteia – The reversal of fate that the hero experiences.
Anagnorisis – This moment happens when hero makes an important discovery in the story.
Nemesis – A fortune that protagonist cannot avoid, usually due to retribution of his hubris.
Catharsis – These are the feelings of pity and fear that audience feels for the protagonist after his downfall.

5. Are Tragic Heroes Among Us Today?
In your groups, brainstorm to generate a list of possible celebrities or famous historical figures who exhibit(ed) any or all of these qualities.
Be prepared to discuss with the class.

6. Talk about it – Group Discussion
In the envelope your groups have been given numerous situations which may or may not be considered ”tragic” in a literary sense.
Discuss one situation at a time, applying the characteristics of a tragedy, to determine if it is tragic, catastrophic, or simply misfortune.
Keep the examples of tragedy for discussion.

7. Simply Tragic...
Which situations are truly tragic? Why?

9. Marshall University
At 7:36 p.m. on November 14, 1970, an aircraft crashed into a hill just short of the Tri-State Airport, killing all 75 people on board. The plane was carrying 37 members of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team, 9 members of the coaching staff, 25 boosters, and 4 flight crew members.

10. Movie Material

11. Marshall Incident
It is still referred to as a tragedy.

12. Tragedy? Catastrophe? Bad Luck?
In your groups, read the article you have been given about this incident.
Be prepared to discuss the author’s point of view and the extent to which you agree or disagree with his argument.

13. Essential Questions Exit Ticket Response:
On your own paper, write one to two paragraphs to answer the following questions.
Does ”tragedy” as a literary genre exist today only in fiction?
What are the elements of tragedy that can be found in fiction and in our lives today?