Tragic Hero

Geoff Rushlau

http://fc.sad57.k12.me.us/

The Tragic Hero Defined

• Of high standing and importance

• Displays traits the reader/audience can connect with

• Possesses a fatal flaw that brings about demise

http://fineartamerica.com

Embodiment: Macbeth

• Thane of Glamis• War hero• Expresses and experiences curiosity, doubt,

surprise, stress, etc.• Overpowering ambition

The Fall of the Hero

• A culmination of events that, over time, come together in an unfortunate conclusion for the character

• Macbeth:– Rampant murder and deceit results in the

survivors rallying against him– He is beheaded (quite effectively dethroned)

Catharsis Defined

• A great realization, usually existential• A culmination during which all the puzzle

pieces fall into place

Catharsis’ Effect in Tragedy

• The cathartic moment is the final component of the “quantitative parts” of Tragedy described by Aristotle: Recognition– Revelation through memory, reasoning, or

incidents

• Evocation of pity and fear• The essence of tragedy

Macbeth’s Catharsis

• “I have lived long enough. My way of life is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf, and that which should accompany old age, as honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have, but in their stead curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not.” (Macbeth 5.3.26-33)

Works Cited

Aristotle, and S H Butcher. "The Poetics of Aristotle." N.d. Treatise.

Carter, Ron. “Defining Tragedy: Aristotle.” In Life and Literature. VCCS, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2010. <http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/ tragedy/ aristotle.htm>.

Leech, Clifford. The Critical Idiom: Tragedy. Routledge, 1969. PDF file.

Works Cited Pictures

Bates, Matthew. Apoxyomenos. N.d. Fine Art America. Web. 3 Feb. 2010. <http://fineartamerica.com/ featured/ apoxyomenos--greek-statue-matthew-bates.html>.

Bleeding Eyes Statue. N.d. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2010. <http://fc.sad57.k12.me.us/ ~Abigail_Asciola/ Oedipus%20the%20King%20Web%20Page>.

Aristotle’s Poetics

Scott Chubb

http://www.press.uchicago.edu

Tragedy

• 6 basic parts (in order of importance)– Plot– Character– Thought– Diction– Song– Spectacle

Plot

• Sets down structure for plot• Beginning and end• Length and beauty• Caution against misplaced events

Types of plots

• Simple• Complex– Better

• “Plots are either Simple or Complex, for the actions in real life, of which the plots are an imitation, obviously show a similar distinction.” (Aristotle)

• Tragedy vs. Comedy

Fear and Pity

• Two emotions that should be inspired in audience– Signs of a good tragedy

• Can be aroused by the spectacle, but better if by the plot

Characters

• “Tragedy is the imitation of an action, and of the agents mainly with a view to the action.” (Aristotle)

• Must be believable

Influence

• Renaissance– Castelvetro– Humanism

• France– Art of Poetry

Works Cited• Aristotle, and S H Butcher. "The Poetics of Aristotle." N.d. Treatise. • Cook, James Wyatt. "Poetics." Encyclopedia of Ancient Literature. New

York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?

ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAncL0426&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 2, 2010).

• Cook, James Wyatt. "Poetics." Encyclopedia of Renaissance Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= ERL035&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 2, 2010).

• Halliwell, Stephen, and Robert Forman. "The Poetics of Aristotle: Translation and Commentary." Magill’s Literary Annual. 197. Literary

Reference Center. Web. 2 Feb. 2010. <http://search.ebscohost.com/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=MOL0300302993&site=lrc-live>.

Works Cited Pictures

• Cover of Aristotle's Poetics. N.d. The University of Chicago Press. Web. 3 Feb.

2010. <http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl

mode=synopsis&bookkey=3638778>.