Tragedy

1
Tragedy

• Tragedy represents a world that can crush human
  greatness and where things happen that we wish
  did not have to happen.

2
Typical Setting

• Stories are set in a colder, harsher world. The
  unfriendly side of nature emerges and darkness
  triumphs.

3
Common Images

• Darkness
• Cold
• Harsh environment
• Storm
• Discord
• Isolation

4
Characters

• The hero/heroine can range from very innocent to
  more experience, from totally good to having a
  tragic flaw.
• The villain defeats the hero. The villain may
  not be a person it could be fate or death. Some
  or all of the following may be represented

5
Characteristics

• The cruelty of people in general
• The cruelty of nature
• The cruelty of accidents or fate
• There may be monsters (human or inhuman)
• Another character is the blunt advisor who tires
  to warn the hero or help.

6
Tragedy Plot

• The tragic hero sets off on a journey
• Catastrophe is central to the plot
• a. There is a flaw in the hero/heroines
  character that causes his or her defeat
• b. Fate, chance or circumstances operate
  against the hero
• c. The hero/heroine sacrifices self for others
• The hero is defeated or fails to accomplish their
  goal

7
Common Themes

• Good vs. evil evil wins
• Destruction of the innocent
• The existence of power and evil in the world
• The possibility of evil in all people

8
Range of Tragedy- The Classic Tragic Hero

• The classic tragic hero story The hero is no
  longer innocent, but is responsible for his own
  downfall.
• The hero has a tragic flaw
• The hero may be the victim of fate that he has
  set in motion himself

9
Range of Tragedy- Pure Hero

• The pure hero is unjustly accused. The pure hero
  is seen as a victim.
• The pure hero is given a great deal of dignity
  because of his courage and innocence.
• The pure hero is destroyed before his innocence
  is vindicated.

10
Range of Tragedy- The Sacrificial Victim

• The sacrificial victim story The hero suffers
  or dies for a cause. There is a victory in this
  defeat. The victim is a willing victim.

11
Range of Tragedy- Loss of Innocence

• Loss of innocence story The hero moves from
  inexperienced to experienced.
• The hero comes to a recognition or realization of
  life as it really is and has an awakening or
  maturing experience.
• The hero is young and frequently baffled by their
  first contact with the real world.

12
Range of Tragedy- Spiritual Death

• The spiritual death story The hero is trapped,
  humiliated, lost, ridiculed or tortured.
• The hero is unable to control his destiny
• The chief symbols are prisons and madhouses