Tragedy

The definition of a tragedy in Greek writing is “a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character”. Antigone, a play written by Sophocles is a tragedy of wicked justice and brave rebellion, a reflection of the mind. Each character represents a different facet of the human persona. Some hold onto their beliefs with pride and stubbornness that cuts deep within their heart without any consideration of others, some have…

Professor Victor Miguel Ponce (2014) defines the Tragedy of the Commons as, “a natural resource shared by many individuals, in the absence of regulation, each individual will have a tendency to exploit the commons to his/her own advantage, typically without limit. Under this state of affairs, the commons is depleted and eventually ruined.” Ashford University is currently facing a “tragedy of commons” that presently affects many students including myself. I believe it has stemmed from the…

Greek tragedies are renowned for their overabundant use of incestous relationships, smiteful deities, driven plots, and sophisticated philosophies. The great thought provoking, beard stroking Socrates, and master of the stylish intellectual pose, in his relatively modern book speaks volumes of Greek society. It follows the unexpected heroine Antigone in her quest to provide her father of a proper burial; however, in doing so she faces opposition from royalty and in turn the king faces opposition…

A Common Man or a Tragic Hero In the essay, Tragedy and the Common Man, written in 1949 by Arthur Miller is revealed the comprehensive view of the author concerning the notion of tragedy. One of his deepest opinions is that the common man is as capable of experiencing abundant tragedy, as much as kings and queens are. In additions, Miller believes that the sense of tragedy comes into being when the character is ready to sacrifice all he has, to preserve one thing; “ his sense of personal…

An Aristotelian Outlook on Two Very Different Tales Aristotle defines a tragedy as “the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions” (Meyer 2). Or to put in simpler terms, completing a serious action that has the depth within itself to arouse fear in an effort to cleanse any…

while they live it? —every, every minute”: Tragedy in Our Town Despite the uplifting tone of Our Town, by Thornton Wilder, he suggests that individuals never truly appreciate life. In Our Town, it manifests a tragic vision of life and can be classified as one of the major genres of modern drama, a tragedy. In the tragedy, it implies that there is a symbol of death that is foreshadowed from the beginning. This captures how Our Town is a classical tragedy that belongs to the non-realism phase…

Due to a quaint accident of history, eighteen of his 95 plays have survived in a complete form, along with some substantial fragments of many of his other plays. He is primarily famous for having adapted the formal structure of traditional Greek tragedy by portrayal of strong female characters and smart slaves, and by satirizing many heroes of Greek mythology. He is deemed to be the most socially critical of all the ancient Greek tragedians, and his plays are considered quite ahead of his times…

Oedipus the King is a tragedy outlining the fall of Oedipus as he discovers his true identity. The drama focuses on his inability to see past his own ignorance, thus leading to disastrous consequences. As outlined in Aristotle’s Poetics, the mark of a good tragedy is represented by an error done by the protagonist. In the play, dramatic irony emphasizes Oedipus’ compulsion for knowledge which is hindered by his own ignorance, thus resulting in his loss of reputation. Throughout the play, Oedipus…

Discuss how the concept of hybris is treated in Greek tragedy, with reference to at least two plays from different authors. Hybris is commonly known as ‘pride’ and ‘arrogance’. In Greek Tragedy the concept of hybris is treated most often as a flaw in a character’s personality, often leading to failure. R.P Winnington-Ingram says “Hubris is a mode of behaviour, but arises out of a state of mind.” This is evident in Sophocles’ Ajax and Aeschylus’ Oresteia. This view of the concept is agreed upon…

throughout all of classical Greece. They are known for their teachings and writings. Sophocles was the most successful writer of Greek tragedies. He often won first place prizes for best tragedy. His most famous tragedy is Oedipus. In Oedipus it is foretold that the main character Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. Sophocles wrote another tragedy to follow the events after Oedipus called Antigone. Antigone follows the troubles that happen to Oedipus’s daughter Antigone. Aristotle…