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讲 稿 讲 授 内 容 Chapter Eighteen Tragedy I. Lead-in Review the definition of tragedy and comedy. Drama is designed for performance in the theater, in which actors take the roles of the characters, perform the indicated action, and utter the written dialogue. Comedy describes the reformation of a group of people or society; it begins in adversity and resolves in prosperity. Review Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies. Shakespeare’ s comedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream As You Like It The Merchant of Venice Twelfth Night Shakespeare’ s tragedies: Othello Macbeth King Lear Hamlet II. Tragedy Brief introduction of tragedy The origins of the tragic form are Greek. The materials of Greek tragedy were drawn from familiar myths of gods and mortals found in the works or Homer and elsewhere. The protagonists of classical Greek tragedies are often grand noble characters whose high repute and status are earned either by their inherent nobility or heroic exploits. Their misfortune is called by a “tragic flaw” or hamartia. In his suffering, the hero will gain a new awareness of both self and existence. Hamartia referring to character traits such as excessive, self-destructive pride, ambition, passion, makes the hero misjudge other characters and misinterpret events and ultimately causes his own downfall. Aristotle states that tragedy is “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of certain magnitude…in the form of a drama, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions”. Aristotle further explained that tragedy should have a catharsis or purging effect. When we are faced with the protagonist’s misfortune, we are likely to feel compassionate. At the same time, we may experience fear, because the protagonist’s failure is a frightening reminder of our own vulnerabilities. The audience is ultimately purged of these emotions and gains a greater moral awareness and a keener self-knowledge. Language and t