Aristotles Definition of Tragedy Any serious and dignified

Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy • Any serious and dignified drama that describes a conflict between the hero (protagonist) and a superior force (antagonist), and reaches a sorrowful conclusion that arouses pity or fear in the audience. • Is motivated by ethical (justice) and/or pathetic (moral) concerns.

Aristotle’s Poetics: Basic Concepts • Complex plots are better than simple ones • A tragedy should end unhappily and provoke catharsis • Catharsis: release of the audience’s built up pity and fear. • The pity and fear which the tragedy evokes should come from the events, not from the mere sight of something on stage.

The Tragic Hero • Is neither all good nor all bad • Is of the noble class or highly renowned and prosperous • Unwittingly sets forces in motion that will lead ultimately to his/her downfall. • Endures pathos (scenes of great suffering) • Audience’s sympathy for/empathy with the tragic hero and his situation must increase as plot unfolds

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia) • Causes the downfall of the tragic hero • Can be any trait that is excessive and potentially harmful (such as desire, self -will, pride, overconfidence)

Reversal (Peripeteia) • Reversal is a change of a situation to its opposite; the point at which the action of the plot turns in an unexpected direction for the tragic hero. • He realizes he has erred and accepts the consequences

Recognition (Anagnorisis) • Recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge; the point at which a character understands his or her situation as it really is. • The new knowledge often identifies a relative or dear one whom the hero should cherish but was about to harm or has just harmed.

Pathos and Catastrophe • Pathos: Scenes of suffering; can occur any time during the tragedy. • Catastrophe: scene of death or moral destruction of the protagonist • The catastrophe creates the climax of the plot; it also creates pathos.

Boromir as Tragic Hero • Tragic flaw (possibilities): – arrogance (hubris); narcissism; nationalism; filialness • Reversal: – Frodo? What have I done? Please, Frodo. I’m sorry! • Recognition: – Forgive me, I did not see. I have failed you all.

Boromir as Tragic Hero • Pathos: – Sorrow over trying to take Ring; 3 arrows taken in defense of Pippin and Merry • Catharsis: – Audience’s response to Boromir’s death, as modeled by Aragorn