Essay on Aristotles Concept of Tragedy Applied to Hamlet

Aristotle’s Concept of Tragedy Applied to Hamlet Aristotle’s concept of a well written tragedy is that it is â€Å"†¦an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude, in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play, the form of action, not of narrative, through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions† (McManus). According to Aristotle, the plot is the â€Å"soul† of the tragedy from which the other parts such as characters, diction, thought, spectacle, and melody stem (McManus). Shakespeare skillfully applies Aristotle’s concept of tragedy, to Hamlet in various ways, dramatizing what may happen or â€Å"what is possible†¦show more content†¦(Shakespeare 1.5.40), as he realizes the deception, betrayal, and his painful present and future. This marks the beginning of the cause and effect chain that turns into catastrophe with the death of Polonius and Ophelia, w hich eventually leads to the â€Å"tying up† or the final â€Å"scene of suffering† with four dead bodies on the stage. Another anagnorisis within the plot is when Hamlet receives confirmation that what his father’s spirit told him was true as he observes his uncle’s reaction while watching a band of actors performing a crime scene similar to that of his father’s murder. This scene would not only prove to be important only to anagnorisis, but would also intensify Hamlet’s misery and further the development of his tragic flaw. Once more meeting the expectations of Aristotle’s theory of tragedy. Every Aristolian tragedy must contain â€Å"a protagonist of high estate who falls from prosperity to misery through a series of reversals and discoveries as a result of a tragic flaw† (McManus). Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, is born into nobility. This position in the social hierarchy would definitely qualify as one â€Å"of high estate.† Shakespeare also made Hamlet’s intellectual capacity apparent. Hamlet often debates many theological issues, thus revealing his superior mind and education.Show MoreRelatedOthello is Not a Tragic Hero Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesOthello is â€Å"Why is Othello a qualification for a tragedy?† Most readers are aware of the many famous deaths or acts of death within the Shakespearean plays. And when the main characters die in Shakespeare’s plays, indeed, the readers would categorize the play as a tragedy. The problem with any tragedy definition is that most tragic plays do not define the tragedy conditions explained or outlined by Aristotle. According to Telford (1961), a tragedy is a literary work that describes the downfallRead MoreCleanth Brookss Essay Irony as a Principle of Structure9125 Words   |  37 Pagespremise here is the belief that in Marx’s theory and method the true method by which to understand society and history has finally been discovered. This method is historical through and through. It is self-evident, therefore, that it must be constantly applied to itself, and this is one of the focal points of these essays. At the same time this entails taking up a substantive position with regard to the urgent problems of the present; for accordi ng to this view of Marxist method its pre-eminent aim is knowledgeRead MoreQuestion and Correct Answer7042 Words   |  29 PagesCorrect Answer: |   Ã‚   Sanctuaries and cemeteries | | | | | ï‚ · Question 10 2 out of 2 points | | | What is the Greek concept of arà ªte?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: |   Ã‚   Being the best one can be | Correct Answer: |   Ã‚   Being the best one can be | | | | | ï‚ · Question 11 2 out of 2 points | | | Why can Hellenistic sculpture be equated with Aristotles idea of catharsis?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: |   Ã‚   Both aim to elicit viewer emotional response | Correct Answer: