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  • TRAGEDY - Notes - 1 Nov 18

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    Manuel J. Radislao
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    Tragedy is a type of play that depicts the downfall of a heroic protagonist due to a character flaw like hubris or hamartia. The protagonist fails to achieve their goals and usually dies or experiences a spiritual death, which arouses feelings of pity and fear in the audience that are then purged or "catharsized". Characteristics of tragedies include dealing with profound emotions, focusing on the protagonist's suffering, showing how their fate was inevitable, and supporting catharsis for the audience.

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    Notes in Teaching Tragedy

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    TRAGEDY_Notes_1 Nov 18

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    Tragedy is a type of play that depicts the downfall of a heroic protagonist due to a character flaw like hubris or hamartia. The protagonist fails to achieve their goals and usually dies or experiences a spiritual death, which arouses feelings of pity and fear in the audience that are then purged or "catharsized". Characteristics of tragedies include dealing with profound emotions, focusing on the protagonist's suffering, showing how their fate was inevitable, and supporting catharsis for the audience.

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    17 views2 pages

    TRAGEDY - Notes - 1 Nov 18

    Uploaded by

    Manuel J. Radislao
    Tragedy is a type of play that depicts the downfall of a heroic protagonist due to a character flaw like hubris or hamartia. The protagonist fails to achieve their goals and usually dies or experiences a spiritual death, which arouses feelings of pity and fear in the audience that are then purged or "catharsized". Characteristics of tragedies include dealing with profound emotions, focusing on the protagonist's suffering, showing how their fate was inevitable, and supporting catharsis for the audience.

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    TRAGEDY Notes

    The more plays you see and read, the more likely you’ll find yourself reacting differently
    depending on the writer’s style, themes, characters, and dialogue. However, your response
    definitely will be affected if you consider the type of play you’re experiencing.

    Among the earliest of recorded dramas, tragedy has been considered by many critics as
    humanity’s highest literary achievement. We date the tragedy of the ancient Greeks to
    the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.

    The word “tragedy” derives from the Greek literally meaning “goat-song.” Explanations
    for this include that early singers of dithyrambs may have worn goat skins, a goat may
    have been sacrificed during this worship, or a goat skin may have adorned the altar. It’s
    important to remember that these early hymns – and later plays- were to honor the god
    Dionysus. One of his sacred animals was the goat.

    Tragedy is a type of play in which the protagonist fails to achieve desired goals or is
    overcome by opposing forces. The action usually ends with the protagonist’s death;
    however, in some plays the character will live on having experienced a spiritual death
    or a loss of innocence. This form of drama depicts the suffering of a heroic individual
    who is often overcome by the very obstacles he is struggling to remove.

    But then....No pain, no gain!

    According to ARISTOTLE, the tragic protagonist is “better than the average person”,
    but he or she is guilty of hamartia.

    Hamartia and hubris are extremely similar in so much as one’s overwhelming pride
    (hubris) can often lead to errors or shortcomings in judgment (hamartia).

    Characteristics of Tragedy

    1. Tragedy is Emotional- tragedies are based on profound emotions that, in


    2. their universal appeal, transcend time and place
    3. Tragedy Deals with Suffering – through suffering the tragic protagonist
    usually acquires a sense of awareness. During the time of the struggle, the
    protagonist often becomes alienated and isolated from society.
    4. Tragedy Supports Inevitability- what is going to happen will happen;
    there is no way to forestall destiny
    5. With Tragedy comes Pathos- tragedy has the power to arouse feelings of pity
    and compassion in an audience

    Watch for catharsis- this is when the spectators are purged of their own emotions
    of pity and fear through their vicarious participation in the drama.

    Here’s a little idea for you:


    The greater the goal…the greater the fall….the greater the catharsis.

    Characteristics of Tragic Protagonists


    1. The character should be born into some form of nobility or wisdom
    2. (remember that in ancient times, nobility was the royal family; in a modern context,
    nobility could mean being social accepted or of a high reputation in the community.)

    2. The character has a personality trait that leads to his/her downfall


    The character is doomed to make an error in judgment. (harmatia/hubris)
    3. The character should be neither good nor bad, but the audience should be able to
    identify with the character.
    4. The character is responsible for his/her fate.
    5. The character will fall from great heights or esteem when s/he realizes s/he has
    made an irreversible mistake.
    6. The character will face a tragic death with honor.
    "A man cannot become a hero until he sees the root of his downfall." ~ Aristotle
    “The portrayal of the human being in his struggle for happiness…shows us who and
    what we are.” ~ Arthur Miller

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