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Tragedy

Tragedy Definition

Tragedy is kind of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner.

Greek Tragedy

The term is Greek in origin, dating back to the 5th century BC. It was a name assigned by the Greeks to a specific form of plays performed on festivals in Greece. The local governments supported such plays and the mood surrounding the presentation of these plays was that of a religious ceremony, as the entire community along with the grand priest attended the performances. The subject matter of the Greek tragedies was derived chiefly from Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” which included misfortunes of heroes of history and religious mythology. The three prominent Greek dramatists were Aeschylus (525–456 BC), Sophocles (496–406 BC), and Euripides (480–406 BC).

Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy

Aristotle defines Tragedy in his famous work “Poetics” as: “Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is admirable, complete (composed of an introduction, a middle part and an ending), and possesses magnitude; in language made pleasurable, each of its species separated in different parts; performed by actors, not through narration; effecting through pity and fear the purification of such emotions.”

From the above definition, we can understand the objective of the Greek tragedies i.e. “…purification of such emotions” also called “catharsis”. Catharsis is a release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.

English Tragedy

Shaped on the models of Seneca, the first English tragedy appeared in 1561, written by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville. The play chose the story of a British king and his sufferings at the hand of his two disobedient sons as a subject matter. The importance of the play lies in the fact that it transformed the style of English drama from morality and mystery plays to the writing of tragedies in the Elizabethan era.

The Difference between Greek and English Tragedies

We notice the following differences between the tragedies by the Greek playwrights and those written by English playwrights: 1. Greek tragedies focused on a singletheme and plot. English tragedies, on the other hand, have several story lines developing into plots and sub-plot. 2. Greek tragedies depicted “great” characters in their tragedies who were mortals but equal to gods and goddesses in their significance. Heroes of English tragedy may come from all walks of life. 3. Greek tragedies had a serious subject matter that was treated in a most dignified manner. English tragedies, on the other hand, tend to mix tragic with comic. Modern playwrights argue that such depiction is nearer to life as our life is a mixture of good and bad fortunes. 4. The performance of a Greek tragedy was a religious affair while English tragedies may intend to instruct or touch upon a religious or ethical issue but their main objective is to entertain.