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Tragedy: Difference between revisions
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Tragedy is a public genre, or literary work found most popular in written play scripts to be performed by actors. The main character of the tragic drama is often a [[ hero ]] that encounters grave trouble and adversity. However, the hero’s misfortune is not inadvertent, nor is it unimportant. Instead, the misfortune is often a key element of the hero’s behavior and a true determiner of the ending to the play. Tragedy focuses on the inner weaknesses of mankind, but these weaknesses are often caused by external forces. Most audiences view the misfortune that the [[ protagonist ]] experiences as unwarranted. Although tragedies are known for their susceptibility to have sadness and despair, there is often an optimistic solution for the hero’s hardships. This is not to say that the entirety of the characters won’t experience anguish and woe. | Tragedy is a public genre, or literary work found most popular in written play scripts to be performed by actors. The main character of the tragic drama is often a [[ hero ]] that encounters grave trouble and adversity. However, the hero’s misfortune is not inadvertent, nor is it unimportant. Instead, the misfortune is often a key element of the hero’s behavior and a true determiner of the ending to the play. Tragedy focuses on the inner weaknesses of mankind, but these weaknesses are often caused by external forces. Most audiences view the misfortune that the [[ protagonist ]] experiences as unwarranted. Although tragedies are known for their susceptibility to have sadness and despair, there is often an optimistic solution for the hero’s hardships. This is not to say that the entirety of the characters won’t experience anguish and woe. | ||
== Origins of Tragedy == | |||
The Greek word "tragoidia" translates to "goat song," which could mean one of several things. Goats were often used as prizes for winners of dramatic competitions, and were also used as sacrifices in early rituals. These rituals took place in the form of dance, which was perhaps the first ever form of tragedy. This was the prominent element to a tragedy for many years. Over time, a speaker was added, and was probably a priest due to the fact that these rituals had a religious theme. Eventually, dialogue between the speaker and dancers took place, which lead to the introduction of the chorus. Over time, this continued to evolve into the tragedy as it is known today. | |||
In ancient Greece, annual festivals were held in honor of the Greek god Dionysus. The goat was a sacred animal to him due to the fact that he was the god of vegetation and wine. Because of this, it is said that rituals were held in order to promote the cycle of death and life. Although tragedies have evolved over time, they still have a common theme. The idea of human suffering has been prominent in tragedies since the beginning. As tragedies have developed, they have continued to raise questions such as the reasoning behind suffering and the balance of good and evil. Additionally, tragedies have maintained their seriousness. | |||
== General Characteristics == | == General Characteristics == | ||
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* [http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/tragedy.html Tragedy] — Views of tragedy from literary periods. | * [http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/tragedy.html Tragedy] — Views of tragedy from literary periods. | ||
* [http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Tragedy.htm Tragedy: The Basics] — Some history, a definition, and some links by Michael Webster. | * [http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Tragedy.htm Tragedy: The Basics] — Some history, a definition, and some links by Michael Webster. | ||
* [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/601884/tragedy] — Article on tragedy by Richard B. Sewall. | |||