Discusses the structure of Tragedy, including the three act structure, and how it differs from traditional storytelling.
Tragic hero: The central character in a tragic story who often possesses admirable qualities but has a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall.
Hubris: The tragic hero's overconfidence or arrogance which causes them to ignore warnings or take actions that lead to their downfall.
Catharsis: The purging of emotions like pity or fear along with an emotional release that is brought about by the tragedy.
Hamartia: The tragic flaw of the hero that leads to their downfall.
Peripeteia: The moment of reversal in the tragic plot where the hero's fortunes change and they begin their downfall.
Anagnorisis: The moment of realization by the tragic hero of their own downfall and the reasons behind it.
Tragic irony: A situation in which the audience or readers are aware of something that the characters are not, leading to greater emotional impact.
Pathos: The elements of the story designed to evoke pity or sympathy from the audience.
Aristotelian Unities: The three unities of action, time, and place that influenced early tragedy and kept the story compact and focused.
Fate and free will: The tension between the choices that the tragic hero makes and the larger forces that govern human existence.
Symbolism: The use of symbols and metaphors to convey meaning and emotion within the tragic plot.
Epiphany: A moment of sudden realization or insight that provides a greater understanding of the tragic events.
Morality: The ethical implications of the tragic events depicted in the story.
Sacrifice: The price that the tragic hero might be forced to pay for their own mistakes or the greater good.
Tragic resolution: The conclusion to the story that allows for catharsis and reflection on the human condition.
Aristotelian tragedy: This traditional and straightforward plot structure set by Aristotle is still relevant. The hero is usually of noble birth and faces a character flaw that leads to their downfall.
The Revenge Tragedy: The plot revolves around the desire for vengeance leading the main character to commit acts of violence and disturbances.
The Domestic Tragedy: A tragedy set within the context of a family, often portraying complex power structures and systematic oppression.
The Tragicomedy: A play that combines tragedy with elements of humor or comedy.
The Tragedy of the Absurd: This plot structure features a protagonist whose fate is determined by irrational and chaotic events, leading to a sense of existential crisis.
The Tragedy of the Common Man: This plot structure highlights the worth of the "average person" and highlights their struggle against forces beyond their control.
The Tragedy of the Hubris: In this plot, the downfall of the protagonist arises from excessive pride, overconfidence, and arrogance.
The Tragedy of the Fate: Here, external factors like destiny or the supernatural bring about the tragedy, despite the character's virtues.
The Tragedy of Injustice: Injustice, oppression, and societal issues play a crucial role in this plot.
Historical Tragedy: A play that combines fictional characters with real-life historical events.