1. GREEK TRAGEDY Aristotle - Poetics

2. Aristotle

3. Greek philosopher Student of Plato Teacher of Alexander the Great Writings include many topics: physics, logic, rhetoric, politics, and theatre (poetics – literature) His ideas shaped medieval and Renaissance thought

4. Concept of Tragedy Found in Poetics Tragedy is the “imitation of an action that is serious or the imitation of an action of a higher type.” Considers the noble Considered highest form of literature. Should arouse pity and fear – aim of tragedy Should be instructive” Learn from other’s mistakes

5. Comedy “…the imitation of an action of a lower type.” Considered inferior to tragedy Exploits of average people, not heads of state (classical sense) From Aristotle to Seinfeld, laugh at the incongruous, the ugly What makes us laugh?

6. Comedy vs. Tragedy Tragedy is for the boardroom or the battlefield Tragedy is ennobling (makes us stronger). I suffer; therefore, I am. Comedy is for the bathroom or the bedroom (human sexuality) Types include banter slapstick the mixup malapropisms – “It was beyond my apprehension.” “That was a real cliff dweller.”

7. Comedy

8. Elements of Tragedy 1. Reversal – someone of great stature takes a fall (reversal of fortune) 2. Flaw – in the Greek – harmartia- fall is due to an inherent problem in character; for Greeks this was commonly HUBRIS

9. Elements of Tragedy, con’t. 3. Suffering – I suffer; therefore I am. 4. Discovery – through suffering, the character finds out the error of his ways, yet it is too late to change events (Know thyself.)

10. Elements of Tragedy 5. Catharsis – a cleansing of emotion, a purgation, a purification for the audience. Audience is able to identify with tragic character. Vows never to commit such an act. A good cry

11. Tragic Elements- 6. Resolution End of action; the problem has been solved; all wrongs have been righted.

12. Resolution Also called the denouement The exodus In Sophocles, the resolution involves making peace with the gods.