Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy in the Poetics

.:.Prompt.:.

Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy in the Poetics (Course Pack). Introduction to Aristotle and selection from The Poetics. The Poetics is the first systematic work of literary criticism in the Western world. Aristotle founded a school, the Lyceum, which collected manuscripts and is often considered the first research library. He was the tutor of Alexander the Great.
A link is posted on E-study for an interactive outline of Aristotle’s Theory of Tragedy in the Poetics. Click on a “Context” tab and go to the full-text section.
         BLOG: Give a brief but clear explanation of what Aristotle means by the following terms (not a dictionary definition or something you learned in high school – just Aristotle):
·    Tragedy
·    The difference between a simple and a complex plot. Which one does Aristotle prefer?
·    hamartia  (not necessarily the definition you learned in high school)
·     katharsis  (again, not necessarily the definition you learned in high school)
·     deus ex machine (how does Aristotle feel about this?)
        Include images of Ancient Greek theater ruins such as Aristotle would have known.
Christophers, Harry - Conductor
Symphony of Harmony and Invention  

.:.Blog.:.

          
          In Aristotle's "Theory of Tragedy's", he defines the tragedy to be "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude. Every tragedy consists of 6 parts being: the plot, characters, diction, thought, spectacle, and melody. Each part is supposed to have 'mimesis', the law of probability or necessity and have the act of 'showing' not 'telling'." He also says that "tragedy is higher and more philosophical than history because history simply relates what has happened while tragedy dramatizes what may happen." So instead of being told what happened or what's to come, it's acted out so the audience can get a visual and grasp it more.

          Plots shouldn't be too long to where it bores the audience, but they also shouldn't be so short to where they end up lost. Length, complexity, and level of conciseness are key factors in proper plot structure which is why Aristotle prefers a complex plot. "Simple plots have only a 'change or fortune' whereas complex plots have both 'reversal of intention' and 'recognition' connected with the catastrophe." Aristotle goes further, saying that the best plots combine those two parts to create a cause and effect chain which creates the catastrophe ending in a scene of suffering.

          Aristotle also said that a perfect tragedy must consist of hamartia, or a tragic mistake. The protagonist will bring about his own downfall and the hamartia in tragedies comes from the inevitability of the consequences. Katharsis can be translated to mean emotional cleansing or purging. In dramatic art, its sometimes brought out in a play occurring for more than one character. It describes an extreme change of emotion.

          Deus ex machina is when an unsolvable problem is suddenly solved unexpectedly. Aristotle doesn't like these kinds of plots because he feels that they are "episodic" in which the episodes or acts succeed one another with out probable or necessary sequence. The only thing that should tie events together is the plot not the forces way that things must be in the end.