English Literature Tragedy Key Terms

Key Terminology in Tragedy

• Megalopsychia: Refers to the concept of "greatness of soul," often associated with noble characters in tragic literature.
• Peripeteia: Represents the dramatic turning point where a character experiences a fall from high to low status, marking a shift in their fortune.
• Hamartia: Denotes the character's downfall or error in judgment, which leads to the tragedy's unfolding events.
• Hubris: Describes excessive pride or arrogance, commonly found in tragic heroes that propels them towards their fate.

Character Archetypes

• Anagnorisis: The moment of recognition or self-awareness when a character acknowledges their wrongdoing or their situation.
• Catharsis: A critical element of tragedy, describing the emotional release or purging experienced by the audience in response to the unfolding drama.
• Tragic Hero: The central character typically portrayed as a victim of fate; examples include Othello from Shakespeare and Willy Loman from Miller's "Death of a Salesman."
• Tragic Villain: A character representing opposition to the hero or protagonist, such as Iago from "Othello," often manipulative and malevolent.

Additional Concepts

• Tragic Victim: Refers to characters who suffer due to the actions of the tragic hero, like Desdemona in "Othello," illustrating the collateral damage of tragedy.
• Truth Teller: Represents a character who reveals truth and opposes villainous deeds; in "Othello," this role is embodied by Emilia, who contrasts the villain's deceptions.
• Fate: A core theme in tragedy, serving as the force that leads to the inevitable decline or demise of the characters involved.
• Wheel of Fortune: Symbolizes the ever-turning wheel of fate that dictates the ups and downs of the characters' lives, reflecting the randomness of fortune.
• Myopia: Represents a metaphorical "blindness" in characters, often referring to their inability to see the reality of their circumstances or the consequences of their actions.
• Pathos: The quality that evokes feelings of pity and sorrow within the audience, a fundamental element that enhances the emotional experience of a tragedy.