UNIT V – Literary
Criticism
Aristotle’s Poetics: Elements
of Tragedy
Brief Introduction (150-200 words):
Aristotle’s Poetics
is one of the earliest
works of literary criticism in the world, written in the 4th century BCE. It mainly discusses tragedy
as a form of drama and poetry. Aristotle defines tragedy as an imitation of an action (mimesis) that is serious, complete, and has a
certain magnitude. It arouses pity and fear, leading to catharsis (emotional purification or
cleansing).
According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is a noble person who suffers a downfall due to a tragic flaw (Hamartia) and fate. His downfall should evoke pity and fear in the audience.
Aristotle identified six essential elements of tragedy:
- Plot
(Mythos)
- Character
(Ethos)
- Thought
(Dianoia)
- Diction
(Lexis)
- Melody
(Melos)
- Spectacle
(Opsis)
These elements make a
tragedy powerful, engaging, and morally instructive.
-----------------
Six Elements of Tragedy (Detailed Explanation):
1. Plot (Mythos):
- The
soul of tragedy.
- Must
have Unity, Completeness, and a beginning,
middle, and end.
- Should
involve Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune), Anagnorisis
(Recognition), and Catastrophe.
2. Character (Ethos):
- The
tragic hero must be good, appropriate,
consistent, and true to life.
- Hamartia
(tragic flaw) leads to the hero’s downfall.
- Example: Hamlet’s indecision and Oedipus’s pride.
3. Thought (Dianoia):
- Refers
to the theme, message, or moral
expressed through dialogue.
- It
reflects reasoning and ideas behind
actions.
4. Diction (Lexis):
- The
choice of language and style of expression.
- Should
be clear, appropriate, and poetic.
5. Melody (Melos):
- The
musical element.
Ancient Greek tragedies used choruses
and songs to enhance emotions
6. Spectacle (Opsis):
- Refers
to visual elements: stage design, costumes, and effects.
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy:
"Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is
serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with
each kind of artistic ornament, in the form of action, not narrative; through
pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions (Catharsis)."
1. What is Aristotle’s definition of
Tragedy?
Answer:
Tragedy is an imitation
of an action,
serious and complete, which arouses pity and fear to produce catharsis (emotional cleansing).
2. What is Catharsis?
Answer:
Catharsis is the emotional
purification or cleansing experienced by the audience after
feeling pity and
fear for the
tragic hero.
3. What is Hamartia according to
Aristotle?
Answer:
Hamartia is the tragic
flaw or error in judgment in the hero’s character, leading to
his downfall.
4. Name the three parts of a Plot as
per Aristotle.
Answer:
The three parts are:
- Beginning
- Middle
- End
- 5. Which element is considered the soul of tragedy by Aristotle?
-
Answer:
Plot (Mythos) is the soul of tragedy, more important than character or spectacle.
1. Explain Peripeteia and Anagnorisis
in a tragic plot.
Answer:Peripeteia is the reversal of fortune where the hero’s situation changes from good to bad.
Anagnorisis is the recognition or discovery of a truth previously unknown.
Example: In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus experiences Anagnorisis when he learns he has killed his father and married his mother, followed by Peripeteia, his downfall
2. Discuss the role of the Chorus in
Greek tragedy.
Answer:
The Chorus provides commentary, moral insight, and emotional atmosphere. It represents the voice of society and often interacts with the main
characters, helping the audience understand the themes and messages.
3. What are the characteristics of a
Tragic Hero?
Answer:
- Noble birth
and high status
- Possesses
a tragic flaw (Hamartia)
- Experiences
Peripeteia and Anagnorisis
- His
downfall evokes pity and fear
- Example:
Hamlet’s indecision and Oedipus’s hubris.
1. Discuss Aristotle’s concept of Tragedy with reference to its
essential elements.
1. Introduction:
Aristotle’s Poetics
defines tragedy as serious
drama aimed at
producing catharsis through pity and fear.
2. Plot (Mythos):
The central element with unity, completeness, and magnitude.
Includes Peripeteia (reversal), Anagnorisis (recognition), and Catharsis.
3. Character (Ethos):
The hero should be noble and
suffer due to Hamartia.
4. Thought (Dianoia):
The themes and ideas presented.
5. Diction (Lexis):
Language should be poetic and appropriate.
6. Melody and Spectacle:
Support emotional engagement but are secondary.
7. Conclusion:
These elements make tragedy
a powerful
artistic expression, teaching moral lessons.
---------------------
2. Explain Catharsis and its significance in Tragedy.
1. Introduction:
Catharsis is the emotional cleansing experienced by the audience.
2. How it Works:
By witnessing the hero’s suffering, audiences feel pity and fear, leading to emotional release.
3. Purpose of Catharsis:
Promotes moral and emotional balance.
Example: In Oedipus Rex, the audience feels pity for Oedipus and fear
of fate.
4. Conclusion:
Catharsis makes tragedy morally instructive and emotionally fulfilling.
-------------------
Objective Type Questions
(Multiple Choice):
1. Aristotle wrote Poetics in—
a) 384 BCE
b) 335 BCE ✅
c) 400 BCE
d) 300 BCE
---------
2. How many elements of tragedy did Aristotle identify?
a) Four
b) Six ✅
c) Five
d) Seven
---------
3. The soul of tragedy is—
a) Character
b) Plot ✅
c) Spectacle
d) Thought
-----------
4. Catharsis is a process of—
a) Emotional cleansing ✅
b) Intellectual reasoning
c) Physical purification
d) Religious devotion
----------
5. Hamartia means—
a) Moral strength
b) Tragic flaw ✅
c) Sudden joy
d) Death of hero
6. Which of the following is NOT an element of tragedy?
a) Plot
b) Thought
c) Melody
d) Rhythm ✅
--------
7. Peripeteia refers to—
a) Recognition
b) Reversal of fortune ✅
c) Diction
d) Chorus
-------
8. Spectacle appeals to—
a) Eyes ✅
b) Ears
c) Mind
d) Heart
----------
9. The best example of a tragic hero according to Aristotle is—
a) Oedipus ✅
b) Hamlet
c) Macbeth
d) Lear
----------
10. Which element is considered least important by Aristotle?
a) Plot
b) Character
c) Spectacle ✅
d) Thought
