‘Tragedy: Read and Discuss Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. In this section from chapter 13 of Poetics, Aristotle defines “tragedy” as it relates to literature and human emotion. As you read, pay attention tohow Aristotle describes what tragedy is and what tragedy is not. (On Tragedy Aristotle (285 8.C.-322 B.C.) A perfect tragedy should, as we have seen, be arranged not on the simple but on the should, moreover, imitate actions which exeitelpitvandifeatithis being the It follows plainly, inthe first place, that the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity: for this moves neither pity nor fear; it merely shocks us. Nor, again, that of a bad man passing from adversity to prosperity fr nothing can be more alien tothe spirt of Tragedy, it possesses no single tragic quality; it neither satisfies the moral sense nor calls forth pity or fear. Nor, again, should thetdownfall ofthe uiter vlan be exhibited: A/pot of tiskind wouldsdoubtless,satisfythet )riortiserseRbue t would inspie'neither pty nor festfF pit is eroused by unmerited misfortune, | fearby the misfortine of aman like ourselvesiSuch an event, therefore, wl be nether pitiful nor rible. There remains, then, the character between these two extremes — that of a man who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by ‘some error of judgement or frailty (Heimust baton Whois highly renowned andiprosperous=> 2 personage like Oedipus, Thyestes, or other illustrious men of such families. A well-constructed plot should, therefore, be single inits issue, rather than double as some maintain. The change of fortune should be not from bad to good, but, versely, from good to bad. It should come about as the result not of vice, but of some great error or frailty, in a character either such as we have described, or better rather than worse. Discussion Questions: In groups, discuss the questions and record your response for each. List three elements of a “perfect tragedy" as described by Aristotle. How do these elements fit into your understanding of tragedy? *Compiex plan ee Excite pity + Pear *CE\BXAD\E PECSON How do emotional responses such as, “pty and fear * coptbute owen? Piru x Pear contvioutes to tegedy because it rhe “distincvive mare of ragici mi tation, BL How is the downfall of a villain different from the downfall ofa likable character, such as a tragic hero? Tre downey, of 2 wadoa viroin doen excite pi anch Pear wnile Ye downPat of a hweable Chere aoe excites, empathy and iS telerebie,