The question of what defines tragedy has been an issue addressed by several different literary minds since the day of Aristotle Essay Example For Students

The question of what defines tragedy has been an issue addressed by several different literary minds since the day of Aristotle Essay The question of what defines tragedy has been an issue addressed by several different literary minds since the day of Aristotle, the first person to define tragedy. When Aristotle first defined tragedy he believed tragedy was something reserved for a person of noble stature. He said this person was eventually brought down by a tragic flaw, hence the term tragedy. Robert Silverberg agrees with Aristotles views on tragedy, but other authors dont accept Aristotles view so easily. Arthur Miller for example Believes any common man can be tragic, not just the nobility. And Richard Sewall, takes a view thats a bit different all together. We will write a custom essay on The question of what defines tragedy has been an issue addressed by several different literary minds since the day of Aristotle specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Aristotle was, as far as we know, the first person to define tragedy, and his definition has been forced down school kids throats year after year ever since. Aristotle said a hero was a person of noble stature that was good, but far from perfect. A tragic flaw in the persons character then led to misfortune that they didnt completely deserve, and eventually the characters complete downfall. Aristotle said that the character accepted his fate, and that it wasnt all bad. Aristotles view that the characters misfortune was not fully deserved, but that the character was responsible for their downfall seems slightly hypocritical, but who am I to criticize Aristotles opinions. Robert Silverberg describes a tragic character as, a man or sometimes a woman of great capability and attainment and ambition, who attempts great things and ultimately fails in his attempt, overreaching himself and loosing all because of some inherent fundamental flaw in his character Silverberg, 6. Robert Silverbergs opinion of tragedy completely coincides with Aristotle. He doesnt form any new opinions, and his lack of creativity and originality really makes his article Roger and John undeserving of mention in this paper. Of the four opinions reviewed here I like Arthur Millers the most. In Millers Tragedy and the Common Man Miller states, I believe that common people are as apt subjects for tragedy in its highest sense as monarchs are Miller, 16. While the others who have written their own definition have reserved tragedy for the noble, I like the fact that Miller doesnt feel that tragedy is something too good for the ordinary man. He defines tragic characters as people, who are ready to lay down their lives, if need be, to secure one thing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" their sense of personal dignity Miller, 16. Miller also believes that the character is not brought down by a tragic flaw of their own, but rather by a tragic flaw in the environment. Richard Sewall has a defined three-part definition of tragedy. In his essay The Tragic Form he states, ragedy makes certain distinguishable and characteristic affirmations, as well as denials aboutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the cosmos and mans relation to it;à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the nature of the individual and his relation to himself;à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the individual in society Sewall, 166. Sewall says that in a tragedy good and evil are both seen as definite forces in the cosmos. Sewall says that the tragic  character is a paradox. Sewall states that the tragic character, is no child of God, but yetà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ feels himself more than a child of earth Sewall, 169. According to Sewall the tragic man is very defiant to authority. This defiance is a direct result of the tragic characters pride, and is not necessarily a bad thing, according to Sewall. Sewall belives the main thing that sets the tragic man apart from the other characters of a tragedy is suffering. Sewal says that the tragic man would define himself by the statement, I suffer, I will to suffer, I learn by suffering; therefore I am Sewall 170. And although tragic man is defined by suffering he does not seek out suffering or find it glorious. .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .postImageUrl , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:hover , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:visited , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:active { border:0!important; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:active , .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua961bb35fb7a212557f442797755a5ab:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Tobias Wolff as a strange writer EssayLastly Sewall defines tragedy by the tragic character, and his interaction with society. Tragic man has the obvious options that most people pick when faced with a cituation but a tragic man picks a different coarse. Sewall says that tragic man, protests: he pits himself in some way against whatever, in the heavens above and in the earth beneath, seems to him to be wrong, oppressive, or personally thwarting Sewall, 172. Tragic man accepts that what he does is terrible, but he feels he must do it. The tragic characters actions must affect his environment including the people that surround him. Revealing some hidden truth. And in the end through his experiences the tragic character is raised above the other characters, and normal people. Of all the viewpoints taken on tragedy, and the tragic man, I value Millers view the most. I cant understand why Aristotle insists that the tragic man must be of noble standing. I appreciate the idea that Miller puts forth, that the common man can be tragic, and it is through his tragedy that, the character gains size, the tragic stature which is spuriously attached to the royal or the high-born in our minds Miller, 17. While the other authors statements could be interpreted to say that tragedy can apply to the common man the fact that Miller says it most outright makes me value his article the most.