Aristotle's Definition of Tragedy Quiz

In a simple plot, there are no puzzling situations such as peripeteia (reversal of the situation) and anagnorisis (recognition or discovery). A complex plot, on the other hand, makes use of these elements and includes an element of surprise.

According to Aristotle, the ideal tragic hero should be good but neither too bad nor too perfect. Their misfortune should be brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or flaw (hamartia) in their character.

Aristotle regards comedy as inferior to tragedy, and traces its roots to satire.

Peripeteia, or reversal of the situation, and anagnorisis, or recognition and discovery, please the audience because they contain an element of surprise. A plot that makes use of these elements is considered a complex plot.

According to the passage, Aristotle believed that a perfect tragedy should be arranged not on the simple plot, but on the complex plot that includes elements of peripeteia and anagnorisis.

The passage states that Aristotle regarded comedy as inferior to tragedy, and traced the roots of comedy back to satire.

Neander favors the use of natural rhyme, as he believes it adds artistry to the plays.

Dryden's definition of tragedy is similar to Aristotle's, but he differs in the interpretation of the operation of pity and fear.

Crites objects to the use of rhyme as he privileges the verisimilitude (lifelike quality) of the scene, citing Aristotle's views.

According to Dryden, the effects of tragedy are to expel arrogance and introduce compassion.

Dryden follows Aristotle and Horace in his remarks on the tragic hero, stating that the tragic hero should be true to life, capable of exciting pity and fear, exalted in rank, virtuous to excite pity for their misfortune, and tainted in one particular.

Dryden believes that epic is superior to tragedy, as epic does not lack anything that tragedy contains, and in the epic, the pride is humbled, virtue is rewarded, and vice is punished.

According to Aristotle, the essential characteristics of tragedy are: 1) It is an imitation of a serious and complete action of a certain magnitude, 2) It is written in an embellished language with artistic elements like rhythm, harmony, and song, 3) It is in the form of action, not narrative, and 4) It evokes the emotions of pity and fear in the audience.

Aristotle distinguishes tragedy from narrative verse in that tragedy is told through the actions and speeches of the characters, whereas in narrative verse the poet is free to speak in their own person.

Aristotle's concept of "organic unity" in tragedy means that the action should have a proper beginning, middle, and end, and be arranged sequentially in a coherent manner.

Aristotle sees the use of "artistic ornaments" like rhythm, harmony, and song as a way to enrich and embellish the language of the tragic play.

According to Aristotle, the tragic action should be of a "certain magnitude" - long enough to unfold the events naturally, but not too long or too short, so that it can be easily remembered by the audience.