High Noon Movie Analysis

The movie High Noon portrays the elements of a Greek tragedy. In High Noon, we see a very close relationship between what Aristotle described as the essential elements to a tragedy and what we see unfold throughout the movie. We see all of the six elements; plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle, and song, shown in some form throughout the movie, although, Aristotle says that plot and character are primary, so those will be the two elements of focus. In exploring plot and character, the similarities become striking and it is clear that High Noon successfully imitates the structure of Greek tragedy. The first element that Aristotle says is essential to a Greek tragedy is plot. Aristotle says that the plot in a tragedy, “represents men in action and does not use narrative” (Poetics, Chap 6). The purpose of Tragedy is to question man’s place in the universe, man’s nature and how he interacts with the powers controlling his life. These comments on the essential elements …show more content…
He says, “the incidents and the plot are the end at which tragedy aims, and in everything the end aimed at is of prime importance”(Poetics, Chap 6). High Noon’s end is key to the entire story. The whole plot of the movie leads towards the end with the action of the beginning and middle concerning only preparing for the end. High Noon features a denouement like the tragedies. The fight between Miller and Kane occurs and though Kane wins, it is not happy because a barn was burned down, four people died, and Kane’s quaker wife killed a man. Thus, although the “good” guy survived the damage was done and it was not without tragedy that he made it out alive. With the ending of the movie a catharsis does occur. By the viewers relating to Kane, fearing, and pitying him as he faces the four men alone, the viewers are purged. Catharsis was also an element of Greek tragedy and adds to the similarities between the movie and the