Name :- Pritiba B. Gohil 

Roll No. :- 23 

Course No. 3 :- Literary Theory And Criticism  

Presentation Topic :- Definition Of Tragedy And Play By Aristotle And Dryden

Enrolment No :- PG 14101016  

M.A. English Semester - 1Batch Year :- 2014 - 2016

 Submitted to :-

Department of EnglishMaharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

Definition Of Tragedy And Play By Aristotle And Dryden :- Definition of

Tragedy

• “A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.”

Definition Of Play

• Just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors, and the changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind.

Definition of Tragedy :-

• Definition of Tragedy is given by Aristotle. • Aristotle was a Greek Philosopher and

scientist.• At eighteen, he joined Plato's Academy in

Athens and remained there until the age of thirty-seven.

Definition of Tragedy :-

“A Tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.”

Definition of Tragedy :-

Tragedy is the “Imitation of an action” (mimesis) according to “the law of probability or necessity.”•Aristotle indicates that the medium of tragedy is drama, not narrative; tragedy “shows” rather than “tells.”

Serious

Tragedy relates the

“SAD Episodes” of

life. The chief mood

of tragedy is sadness. In

this way tragedy reflects

seriousness.

Complete Action :-

Next, Aristotle says that the action of tragedy must be

complete. In other words, it should have a Beginning,

middle and end.

Magnitude :-

Formative elements of Tragedy :-

Aristotle gives Six Parts of tragedy.• Plot• Character• Songs• Diction• Thought• Spectacle

Catharsis :-• The end of the tragedy is a

Katharsis (purgation, cleansing) of the tragic emotions of pity and fear.

• Katharsis is another Aristotelian term that has generated considerable debate. The word means “purging,” and Aristotle seems to be employing a medical metaphor—tragedy arouses the emotions of pity and fear in order to purge away their excess, to reduce these passions to a healthy, balanced proportion. Aristotle also talks of the “pleasure” that is proper to tragedy, apparently meaning the aesthetic pleasure one gets from contemplating the pity and fear that are aroused through an intricately constructed work of art.

Definition Of Play By John Dryden :-

• Definition Of Play is given By John Dryden.

• John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright.

Selected Works :-• An Essay of Dramatick

Poesie, 1668.• The Indian Emperour

(tragedy), 1665.• Secret Love, or The Maiden

Queen, 1667.

Definition Of Play By John Dryden :-

Dryden defines Drama as :-

“ Just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors, and the changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind.”

According to the definition, drama is an ‘image’ of ‘human nature’, and the image is ‘just’ and ‘lively’. By using the word ‘just’ Dryden seems to imply that literature imitates human actions. For Dryden, ‘poetic imitation’ is different from an exact, servile copy of reality, for, the imitation is not only ‘just’; it is also ‘lively’.

Lisidieus expresses his views about Drama as “a just and lively Image of Human Nature.” And then each character expresses his views about Drama and they compare French Drama and English Drama and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of French and English Drama.

Thank You …..

Have A Nice Day ………