... win the hand of Jocasta, Queen of Thebes and have 4 children: Eteocles, Polynice, Antigone, and Ismene. The reader discovers the first element of Aristotle's definition at the height of Oedipus" reign as King. An excellent ruler, Oedipus assures the citizens of Thebes when they beg him to do ... comes forth, revealing his story, which leads to the downfall of Oedipus. The change from ignorance known as the recognition, "agnorisis," according to Aristotle occurs when Oedipus discovers he was the baby that was the child of Laius, whose wife, Jocasta, ordered to have Oedipus killed for she ...

• Word Count: 696
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... he or she moves toward a destructive end, eventually leading the audience to "explode" at the ultimate downfall of the hero. Based on Aristotle's interpretation of tragedy, one may conclude that the theme of tragic heroism is a recurring and essential theme in the development not only of Oedipus's character ... has a trajectory that in the end makes readers feel a sense of sympathy towards the character. In addition to promptly summarizing the play, Marjorie discusses Aristotle embeds his interpretations and views into what he might arguably consider his "perfect tragedy", Oedipus Rex. Wh...

• Word Count: 1098
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Aristotle who comprised his poetics through the analysis of plays and poetry was highly interested in Sophocles' work and the concept of tragedy as a whole. "Tragedy, then is an imitation of ... , the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action , not of narrative: through pity and fear effecting proper purgation of these emotions. " (Aristotle Chap.VI) Aristotle goes on to examine what he thought were the most important elements in a tragedy, "it is not the function of the poet to relate what has happened, but what ... may happen, what is possible according...

• Word Count: 1654
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... misery, and King Kreon is left alone. By further examining the character of Antigone, one can conclude that she in fact fits the pattern of a tragic heroine as outlined by Aristotle. Aristotle believes that the chief character in a tragic play should be a person of great consequence and one of exalted station. This person should have a mixed nature of both positive and negative ... intentionally, and the overall effect of this character is to allow the audience to experience catharsis, the purging of the soul through pity and fear. Antigone fits this description of Aristotle's ideal tra...

• Word Count: 1410
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... release through the development of his humanity throughout the course of the play. He is the figure most akin to the classical Aristotelian definition of the traditional tragic hero. In Aristotle's book, Poetics, the philosopher defines a tragic hero as someone of high status, flawed, afflicted with hamartia (tragic flaw) and hubris (arrogance), is punished severely, and in the end gains wisdom ... of a man? Perhaps so, but given the order in which the plays were written, might it not also be perceived that Sophocles interpreted Creon as more than a villain? According to Aristotle, the ...

• Word Count: 1647
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... aware of his incapability to effectively deal with problems. By then it is too late, and thus he follows the path of a tragic character, displaying the characteristics as described by Aristotle: The character has a hamartia1, which is a characteristic that is seen as a fatal flaw, which, in most cases, is the excessive pride that Creon demonstrates. The character then goes through a peripetia1 ... ...

• Word Count: 951
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Anagnorisis - a literary term referring to the "moment of recognition" of a previously unsuspected truth. The concept was defined in Aristotle's Poetics. It is considered an essential part of the plot of tragedy, in which the protagonist's recognition of his tragic flaw occurs at the climax and leads to his downfall. ... ...

• Word Count: 561
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate