Everyone can understand film as everyone once understood

“Everyone can understand film as everyone once understood religious art in church. And as people used to go to church on sundays and still do, so the majority today go to the movies on weekends. But while in the past most went to church only on some days now everybody watches moving images every day. ” -Bruno Bettelheim

Meanwhile in Ancient Greece. . . z“Tragedies were presented in the Athenian theatre at certain annual festivals. Around 17, 000 specators came to witness a cycle of dramatic performances presented amid high civic splendour and religious ritual. ”

Aristotle on Drama z“We enjoy imitation of actions, but that enjoyment is predicated on learning. ” z? z. We enjoy most when we have learned something.

Tragedy Vs. Comedy z. Tragedy: imitation of people who are superior to us, who fall. z. Comedy: imitation of people lower than us, who rise.

Aristotle on Tragedy z. Why someone higher than us? z. Hamartia: a tragic flaw/error z. Pity: undeserved suffering z. Fear: identification z. Catharsis: purging and purification z. Catharsis leads to learning, edification, enjoyment.

Aristotle on Comedy z Why someone lower than us? z Protagonist: wants a meal and a mate. z Lover: usually not very interesting z Authority Figure: a braggart, coward, often a rival z Evil Threat: a sadist, cruel, scheming, but outwitted z Plot involving Hiding, misheard dialogues, disguises, physical comedy, dorsal smiting, comic beatings. z The eternal truth: chasing and hitting are funny.

Comedy plot z. Hypocrisy: pretending to be something you’re not z. Reproof: gets in trouble z. Repentance: solves problem, comes clean z. Forgiveness: Hero is rewarded with bride, Bad guy invited to the wedding.