POETICS – BOOK II
“OF TRAGEDY”
Aristotle discussed in detail all his views on Tragedy and poetry in general in the second book of “Poetics“. The title of the books is “Of Tragedy”. Aristotle begins by giving the definition of Tragedy in the following manner.
“Tragedy then is an imitation of Solne action that is important, antic and of a proper magnitude but language embellished and rendered pleasurable, but by different means in defferent parts in the way not of narration byt action, affecting through pity and terror the correction and refinement of auch passions.”
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Aristotle’s definition of Tragedy can be interpreted in the following way.
1) Aristotle accept that Tragedy is an imitation but what it imitates is important actions. Tragedy cannot be based on common incidents and actions. A genuine Tragedy must have in it important and exceptional actions, which are not to be found in our routine life. A Tragedy has to have in it important actions.
2) The actions which are presented in a Tragedy must be entire- Complete and of proper magnitude length. A good tragedy has to cover up entire action of the protagonist in it. It should include in it the beginning of the action, the middle of it and also the ending of it. Aristotle explain ideal beginning, middle and end
– Ideal beginning is that to which nothing proceed and nothing expected by the audience. It has only something to follow or success.
– Middle is that part of the tragedy before which something precedes and some content follows.
– Ending is that part of tragedy before which something proceeds but nothing succeeds.
– such an entire action should be presented in a tragedy.
3. Aristotle clarifies his definition that tragedy should be written in Poetic language which is embellished, ornamental. A tragic hero is supposed to be a noble person who speaks in a poetic language which is rich with ornaments like figures of speech. Simple poetic language cannot serve the purpose of tragedy. The rich language of tragedy offers genuine delight to the readers and spectators. The writer of a tragedy has to make it a pleasurable experience for the readers, viewers. The writer may employ different means devices in different acts and scenes to make it pleasurable.
4. Tragedy is basically a performing art and because of that there is no scope for long narrations in a tragedy. It demands actions on the stage and not long narrations. Long narrations curtails interest of the spectators. So tragedy should be presented through actions and not narration.
5. The definition of tragedy given by Aristotle refers to the basic function of tragedy. Tragedy has to affect in us , create in us two emotions of pity and terror. It is by arousing pity and terror in the spectators. This effect of tragedy is known as the effect of “Catharsis“
