The Tragic Hero Victor Frankenstein

Aristotles ideas about calamity were recorded in his intelligence of literary theory titled Poetics. In it, he has a extensive deal to say about the structure, purpose, and intended effect of tragedy. His ideas have been adopted, disputed, expanded, and discussed for any(prenominal)(prenominal) centuries now. The following is a summary of his basic ideas regarding the tragical hit man 1. The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness. This should be right away evident in the play. The character must occupy a laid-back status prospect but must ALSO embody magnanimousness and virtue as office staff of his/her innate character. 2.though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is non perfect. Otherwise, the rest of usmere mortalswould be unable to identify with the tragic hero. We should see in him or her somebody who is essentially like us, although perhaps elevated to a higher position in society. 3. The heros downfall, therefore, is partially her /his own fault, the result of free choice, not of possibility or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate. In fact, the tragedy is commonly triggered by some error of nous or some character flaw that contributes to the heros lack of perfection noted above.This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia and is usually translated as tragic flaw (although some scholars argue that this is a mistranslation). oftentimes the characters hamartia involves hubris (which is defined as a sort of arrogant self-esteem or over-confidence). 4. The heros misfortunate is not wholly deserved. The punishment exceeds the crime. 5. The fall is not pure loss. There is some increase in awareness, some increment in self-knowledge, some discovery on the part of the tragic hero.. 6.Though it arouses solemn emotion, tragedy does not leave its audience in a state of depression. Aristotle argues that one feed of tragedy is to arouse the unhealthy emotions of feel for and fear and through a catharsis (which comes from watching the tragic heros dreadful fate) cleanse us of those emotions. It might be worth noting here that classic drama was not considered entertainment, pure and simple it had a communal functionto contribute to the good health of the community. This is why dramatic performances were a part of religious festivals and community celebrations.