Tragedy

Tragedy

1. Roots

   • C5th Dionsysiae choral song
     • Dionysian= sensual, spontaneous, and emotional aspects of human nature
       • Apollonian= rational, ordered, and self-disciplined aspects of human nature
     • "Goat song"- the sacrifice of the innocent to please the Gods
     • Dionysia= festival in honour of God Dionysus
   • Includes events (that seem to be) directed by fate
     • This overrules humans intentions & desires- sense of waste when exceptional people fall & their qualities are lost
   • Tragedy= inevitable when inner values are in conflict with external circumstances

2. Shakespeare's Tragedies

   • The initial conflict= caused by a mistaken decision (usually protagonist; based on desires/ fears)
     • Often disregarding own better judegment
   • Watch hero fall from high- low (demise!)
   • Protagonist commits ungodly/ evil acts
     • Spread to involve families, countries (!), etc
       • ***Microcosm + Macrocosm
   • All S's heroes are driven mad- lose touch with reality, reason, & their former selves
   • Women= always crucial to development of plot & the tragedy- often represent maturity & its capability
     • Men= often give way to passion; prone to excess

3. Tragic Hero

   • Someone of eminent rank within his own society- someone "Better than we are" (Aristotle)
     • Miller subverts traditional elements of tragedy!
       • Anti-hero!
   • They become guilty of hubris- traditionally punished by Nemesis (Goddess of Retribution)- we're supposed to feel a sense of pathos (pity/sadness)for this

4. Golden Mean

   • Aristotle
   • The principle & value of moderation; the perfect middle position that avoids the dangers of extremes. The HAPPY MEDIUM
   • Aristotle says the Noble Hero makes an error of judgement (fatal flaw- hamartia): this mistake is traceable in character weakness, & causes them to fall into misery