The question of what defines tragedy has been an issue addressed by several different literary minds since the day of Aristotle, the first person to define tragedy. When Aristotle first defined tragedy he believed tragedy was something reserved for a person of noble stature. He said this person was eventually brought down by a tragic flaw, hence the term tragedy. Robert Silverberg agrees with Aristotle’s views on tragedy, but other authors don’t accept Aristotle’s view so easily. Arthur Miller for example Believes any common man can be tragic, not just the nobility. And Richard Sewall, takes a view that’s a bit different all together.
Aristotle was, as far as we know, the first person to define tragedy, and his definition has been forced down school kid’s throats year after year ever since. Aristotle said a hero was a person of noble stature that was good, but far from perfect. A tragic flaw in the person’s character then led to misfortune that they didn’t completely deserve, and eventually the character’s complete downfall. Aristotle said that the character accepted his fate, and that it wasn’t all bad. Aristotle’s view that the character’s misfortune was not fully deserved, but that the character was responsible for their downfall seems slightly hypocritical, but who am I to criticize Aristotle’s opinions.
Robert Silverberg describes a tragic character as, “a man (or sometimes a woman) of great capability and attainment...
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- The play Death of a Salesman is a tragedy written in 1949 by Arthur Miller. A tragedy is a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character. Following that definition, Death of a Salesman is a tragedy because there is an unhappy ending with Willy’s death. Death of a Salesman is also a tragedy because of several tragic events that occur before Willy’s death, such as him losing his job, and Biff’s discovery of Willy’s infidelity.... [tags: Character, Tragedy, Tragic hero, Poetics, Drama]
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- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller provides us of the story of Willy Loman, with his deteriorating mental health and dealing with problems in his family. Tragedy according to Aristotle is, “the imitation of a aaction that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language; in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.” In a simple sentene a tragedy is a literary character who makes a judgement error that inevitably leads to his/her destruction.... [tags: Tragedy, Death of a Salesman, Suicide, Tragic hero]
1760 words (5 pages)
- Speaking of the reasons of Othello’s tragedy, the opinions have been various. Some people believe that racial discrimination contributes to the tragedy; some deem that Othello’s character defects causes the tragedy; some think that the instability of their love leads to the tragic end…… In my opinion, many of these factors are the by-products of his self-contempt, the ultimate reason of Othello’s tragedy should be inferiority complex. First comes the Venetian military. Their reliance gives him the possibility to live a normal life as a Venetian and even higher status.... [tags: Othello, Marriage, Desdemona, Iago, Tragedy]
919 words (2.6 pages)
- In the play “Death of a Salesman” written by Arthur Miller , there is a main character name Willy Loman who greatly wants to see his two sons be successful salesman , also be greatly love by his wife and two sons, but tragedy comes when he dies from suicide hoping his son Biff will use the insurance money of his death to start a business of his own. “What is Tragedy”. According to Aristotle “A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also having magnitude complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language...... [tags: Tragedy, Death of a Salesman, Drama, Tragic hero]
1138 words (3.3 pages)
- To quote critic Northrop Frye, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divisive lightning.” One such tragic hero who fits this view is Willy Loman of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Throughout the play, Willy’s tragic fall from grace (experienced through Willy’s delusional flashbacks) is shown to have affected those around him--particularly his family--in a negative way.... [tags: Tragedy, Tragic hero, Suicide, Death of a Salesman]
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- ... What I wasn't smart enough to have my own opinions. I dont understand why he would say I can't hear either. So what they have too many secrets that I can't hear?” but the more Natalie thought on it the more she thought there HAD to be an explanation for cutting her off and changing her name, calling her Ms.Rose. She didn't understand any of it. When Jonathan had finally explained to her that there is a lot of people that he does not trust there. He does not want to risk losing her because of something she said that can just slip out as an honest mistake.... [tags: answers, demons, cause, tragedy]
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- The Structure of Early Greek Tragedy: The Greek performances that dominated ancient theatre, while undeniably ground-breaking, were subject to an exacting dramatic structure. Consistently, Grecian tragedies began with the prologue, serving as a spoken explanation of the performance’s mythological background and preparing the audience for what they were to see. Following this prelude would be the parados, an “opening number” of sorts in which the chorus enters the orchestra while both singing and dancing.... [tags: Tragedy, Drama, Theatre]
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- Hieronimo is a symbol for the authority of law within The Spanish Tragedy. From his soliloquy in act III scene II, one can see Hieronimo’s ambiguity in deciding whether to pursue either justice or revenge. It could be argued that Hieronimo’s actions and concerns change throughout the course of the play by the wills of others and not his own desires; thus representing the failed authority of the law. This can be shown by analysing Hieronimo, Bel-imperia, the Gods, Lorenzo and the Law. Hieronimo’s soliloquy in act III scene II is a focal point within The Spanish Tragedy as it is the awakening of Hieronimo’s awareness of Lorenzo’s villainy.... [tags: Literary Techniques, Character Analysis]
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- Analysis of An American Tragedy and What Makes it a Classic An American Tragedy is an intriguing, frighteningly realistic journey into the mind of a murderer. It is a biography of its era. And, it is also historical fiction. But what makes this novel a classic. While society has changed dramatically since 1925, Dreiser's novel, which shows the futility of "The American Dream" and the tragedies that trying to live it can cause, accurately summarizes social mores of this and any time period. Before Theodore Dreiser was born, his father, a devout German immigrant, lost everything when his large wool mill burned down (kirjasto.sci.fi 1).... [tags: An American Tragedy Theodore Dreiser Essays]
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- The Tragedy of William Shakespeare's Hamlet It seems that in this merciless mourning, I have opened a tomb. And though my sight be of seeing, it is not as it once was. For what I see is not with thine own eyes. It is as death appears to those awake. A coldness, an emptiness, that I cannot forsake. Hope Saphos DeVenuto A melody in literature is a language that Shakespeare uses freely in Hamlet with infinite variety. The imagery relates to us to create to the senses a realization of what is occurring as well as to kindle our responses.... [tags: Tragedy William Shakespeare's Hamlet]
574 words (1.6 pages)