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    2.2 ENLL 121 Tragedy

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    2.2 ENLL 121 Tragedy

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    Tragedy

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    19 views12 pages

    2.2 ENLL 121 Tragedy

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    ENLL 121

    Tragedy and comedy

    Piotrowska, C. 2020. Vanderbijlpark: North-West University.


    Genre: Drama recap
     Drama shows (through ostension/bodily movements) while fiction
    tells or describes
     There is one perspective or line of vision: we look to the stage
     No narration
     the only time we get access to a character’s thoughts is through a
    soliloquy
     The list of characters (dramatis personae), stage directions, props
    (didascalia) provide substance to the dialogue
    Tragedy and Comedy
     What is Tragedy and Comedy?

     Tragedy is a branch of drama that treats in a serious and dignified


    style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a
    heroic individual.
     Comedy is a type of drama or other art form the chief object of
    which, according to modern notions, is to amuse.

     Other genres: Romance (form of tragicomedy) and History


     More recent genres: Absurdism/surrealism, Avant-garde/Experimental,
    Epic, Farce, Satire, Kitchen-sink, Parody, Pantomime, Mime, Opera,
    Flash drama, Hyperdrama, Closet drama, Miracle/mystery plays,
    Melodrama, Musical drama, In-yer-face drama…
    Tragedy according to Aristotle
     A tragedy is the imitation in dramatic form of an action that is serious
    and complete, with incidents arousing pity and fear wherewith it effects
    a catharsis of such emotions.
     The language used is pleasurable and throughout appropriate to the
    situation in which it is used.
     The chief characters are noble personages and the actions they perform
    are noble actions.

    Aristotle’s Three Unities:


     Unity of action – limited to a single, linear plot
     Unity of time – time should be limited to 2-3 hours
     Unity of place – tragic action should be limited to a single location

    Watch the video on Aristotle linked in the lessons.


    Terminology: Tragedy
     Hamartia (tragic flaw) – error in personality of tragic
    hero, which brings about his downfall
     Hubris – excessive pride
     Peripeteia – reversal of circumstances, the turning point
    (or point of no return) in a drama
     Anagnorisis – moment of recognition, wherein the
    character makes a critical discovery
     Catharsis – purification/ purging of emotions (eg. Fear
    or pity) which leads to feelings of renewal or restoration
     Dramatic irony – when the audience is aware of
    something, but the characters in the play are not
    Tragedy: some characteristics
     Makes the audience ask questions about the nature human life
     Leads to philosophic considerations
     Showcases human suffering (internal and external)
     Deals with isolation and alienation
     Audience needs to view events as significant and make judgements about
    them
     Always has a tragic hero, with a tragic flaw, and this leads to his downfall
     Unforeseen results to deeds committed due to some flaw
     Essentially the hero is responsible for his actions
     Characters are usually of high standing (nobility)
     Ends in death , but the deaths themselves are not the important factors of
    tragedy
     Rather, it is the inevitability of death, and how it comes about
    Tragic hero
     Hero recognises great mistake, but is too late
     Demonstrates a personal flaw or error in perception (hamartia)
     Exhibits hubris
     Exercises free will
     Suffers terrible downfall
     Fails through error
     Aspires to more than he can achieve
     Isolated from community in individuality
     Hero is larger than life, considerably above the audience in
    status or responsibility
    Greek tragedy Elizabethan tragedy
    Performed during religious festivals, for the Shift in world view. Humanism and
    worship of Dionysus Renaissance theories highlighted. Politics
    become important.
    Theocentric. Characters governed by Anthropocentric. Characters bring about
    outside forces – fate, destiny (No free will) their own ruin due to their tragic flaw

    Follows Aristotle’s Three Unities (action, Does not always obey these unities (several
    time, place) subplots and/or locations)
    Tragic hero faces death or reversal of Tragic hero faces tragic death; his suffering
    fortune must be exceptional

    Hero learns the truth of the situation or Hero does not always gain self-knowledge
    comes to a realization

    Has a chorus. Serious at all times. Chorus replaced by comic scenes to lighten
    the seriousness.

    Actors wore masks. Only 2-3 actors. No Several actors, masks no longer worn. No
    women permitted on stage. women permitted on stage.

    Violent acts were never shown, but Acts of violence and death acted out in
    described by the chorus front of the audience

    Aim is catharsis. By living through the Renews your awareness of your own
    experiences (fear, awe) one is purged of mortality. Leads to philosophical
    these emotions. considerations.
    Comedy: some characteristics

     Often presents characters who play: play games with or against


    each other in the pursuit of love
     Characters are regular people
     Often ends the same – in marriage, but it is the way they get
    there which is humorous
     Lots of plot twists
     Lots of scheming and deception (and cross dressing)
     Leads to bewilderment and confusion
    Types of Comedy
     Farce: Comedy that aims at entertaining the audience
    through situations that are highly exaggerated,
    extravagant, and thus improbable

     Satire: Genre of literature in which shortcomings are


    ridiculed
     Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater
    purpose is often constructive social criticism
     Uses wit to draw attention to both particular and wider
    issues in society.
     Aims to warn the public and encourage them to change their
    opinion on the conditions of society
     Includes strong sarcasm and irony
    Summary and comparison
    Tragedy Comedy
    Emphasises human suffering Emphasises renewal of human nature
    Emotional response (pity and fear) Intellectual response (ridicule and
    Laments man's fate absurdity)
    Criticises hubris, self-delusion, and Celebrates life
    complacency Criticises folly, self-delusion, and
    Offers some hope (man can learn), complacency
    but stresses limitations of the Suggests cynicism (man is a fool), but
    human condition offers hope of renewal

    Tragic Hero: Comic “hero”:


    Recognises great mistake, but too late Awakens to better nature after folly
    to change it exposed
    Personal flaw or error in perception Undergoes improbable improvement
    Hubristic Intolerant or prudish
    Exercises free will Comic mechanism
    Suffers terrible downfall Loses and recovers his equilibrium
    Fails through error Triumphs by luck, wit, acceptance
    References
     Piotrowska, C.M., Kruger, J.L. & Van Rooy, B. 2020.
    Introduction to literary genres II and grammatical analysis.
    Vanderbijlpark: North-West University. (Study Guide
    ENLL121).

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