Aristotle's Tragedy Principles

Aristotle’s views on tragedy, as discussed in his seminal work Poetics, have had a profound impact on the way we understand classical drama. According to Aristotle, tragedy is not merely a depiction of human actions but an imitation (or mimesis) of action, aiming to represent life in a meaningful way. Let’s break down Aristotle's key concepts and the essential components of a tragic plot to better understand his theories.

Aristotle's Key Elements of Tragedy:

Mimesis (Imitation): Tragedy, Aristotle argues, is an imitation of actions, not humans. It focuses on the events themselves rather than the characters. While characters may play significant roles, the plot (or mytos) is at the heart of tragedy, dictating the narrative arc.

Object (The Characters): Tragedy typically focuses on better, admirable people—characters who possess qualities that are relatable but who fall due to their tragic flaws. These characters should resonate with the audience, but their fall is often due to their own decisions, highlighting their human imperfections.

Magnitude: Aristotle asserts that a tragedy should not be too long or too short. It needs a certain magnitude, or size, to allow the audience to fully absorb and reflect on the events that unfold. If a tragedy is too long, it risks losing the audience's engagement; too short, and it may not have the emotional weight necessary for catharsis.

Mode (Dialogue and Expression): Dialogue plays a crucial role in tragedy. The mode of a tragedy refers to how characters interact through speech and their ability to communicate their inner worlds, which is essential in conveying the themes and emotional depth of the play.

Catharsis: One of Aristotle’s most famous concepts is catharsis, which refers to the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from unwanted emotions like pity or fear. This emotional purification, he argues, is one of the key purposes of tragedy.

The Six Components of Tragedy:

Spectacle: This refers to the visual elements of a play—the scenes, stage settings, and overall visual impact. Although important, Aristotle places less emphasis on spectacle compared to other elements like plot or character.

Lyric Poetry (Song): Tragedies often contain songs or choral odes, which contribute to the emotional and rhythmic flow of the drama.

Diction: The language of the play is crucial. Aristotle suggests that the diction should be powerful and fitting for the themes of the tragedy. The words used by the characters must align with the emotions and ideas being expressed.

Characters: The heroes or central figures of a tragedy are vital to its success. The characters’ actions drive the plot, and their flaws are what make the tragedy compelling.

Reasoning: Aristotle believes that a character must behave appropriately and logically within the context of the story. The reasoning behind their actions should be consistent with the character’s established nature and the situation they face.

Plot: The plot is the heart of the tragedy. It is the arrangement of events that leads to the downfall of the protagonist. Aristotle distinguishes between simple and complex plots, asserting that the latter, which involves peripeteia (reversal of fortune) and anagnorisis (recognition), is more effective in evoking catharsis.

The Best Kind of Tragic Plot:

Aristotle suggests that the best tragic plot should be complex, incorporating both peripeteia (a reversal of fortune) and anagnorisis (recognition or realization of the truth). Additionally, a tragic hero must possess a hamartia, or tragic flaw, which leads to their downfall. This flaw makes the hero's eventual fate all the more impactful.

The Tragic Hero:

The tragic hero is a central figure in any tragedy. Aristotle outlines several key characteristics of a tragic hero:

Goodness: The character must be good, but not perfect. Their moral standing and actions should evoke empathy from the audience.

Appropriateness: The hero must reflect their gender and social class in their actions and dialogue.

Likeness: The hero must feel realistic and relatable, showing the complexity of human nature.

Consistency: The hero must behave consistently, maintaining integrity and realism across different situations.

Key Terms in Aristotle’s Tragedy:

Mythos: The plot of the story.

Ethos: The character of the hero.

Lexis: The diction or language used in the play.

Melos: The song or lyrical elements of the play.

Opsis: The spectacle or visual aspect of the play.

Dianoia: The reasoning or thought processes behind the characters' actions.

The Importance of Astonishment:

Aristotle also notes that to truly evoke pity and fear, a tragedy must induce astonishment—the element of surprise. The audience should be unable to predict what will happen next, and the events should unfold in a way that shocks and moves the viewers.