1. Aristotle’s Perfect Tragedy Ars Poetica or The Poetics

2. Aristotle Ancient Greek philosopher Ancient Greek philosopher One of the most influential thinkers of all time One of the most influential thinkers of all time Wrote about physics, poetry, biology, zoology, logic, rhetoric, politics, ethics Wrote about physics, poetry, biology, zoology, logic, rhetoric, politics, ethics Student of Plato Student of Plato Teacher of Alexander the Great Teacher of Alexander the Great

3. Why Do We Care? The reason that we study Aristotle’s perfect tragedy is because all literary tragedies are compared to and talked about using Aristotle’s ideas The reason that we study Aristotle’s perfect tragedy is because all literary tragedies are compared to and talked about using Aristotle’s ideas You will need to know this for any future lit class in both high school and college You will need to know this for any future lit class in both high school and college So, take notes! So, take notes!

4. The Perfect Tragedy According to Aristotle, the best example of the perfect tragedy was Oedipus Rex. According to Aristotle, the best example of the perfect tragedy was Oedipus Rex. As we continue, think of how Oedipus Rex meets each of the following requirements. As we continue, think of how Oedipus Rex meets each of the following requirements.

5. The Three Unities According to Aristotle the perfect tragedy should hold to three unities: According to Aristotle the perfect tragedy should hold to three unities: Time: the action should take place in 24 hours – ideally it should all be congruous, but 24 hours is ok Time: the action should take place in 24 hours – ideally it should all be congruous, but 24 hours is ok Place – one location – no set changes Place – one location – no set changes Action – just one plot – no sub plots Action – just one plot – no sub plots (the mysterious fourth – mood – the entire play should be serious – no comic relief) (the mysterious fourth – mood – the entire play should be serious – no comic relief)

6. The Tragic Hero Five Parts 1. Must be a noble king or ruler 2. Must have a tragic flaw: the Greek word for tragic flaw is Hamartia Hubris: Pride, the perfect tragic flaw Hubris: Pride, the perfect tragic flaw 3. Downfall caused by his own actions as a result of his tragic flaw 4. Recognize of his own demise 5. Die with honor and courage

7. Oh, the Insanity! If the tragedy is done properly, the audience should be moved to a catharsis If the tragedy is done properly, the audience should be moved to a catharsis Catharsis: purging of emotions, especially pity and fear Catharsis: purging of emotions, especially pity and fear A catharsis should lead to a reinvigorated love of life A catharsis should lead to a reinvigorated love of life See, the cat is scared, you know, fear?…clever, huh?