GenreThe names we give to different kinds of stories.

TypesComedyRomance

AdventureTragedy

TragedyElements and themes of tragedy

•Protagonist-the main character in the story•Family

•Time (past, present, future)•Plot

•Choices, actions, & fate•Audience

Plot“ Plot is the soul of tragedy” Aristotle

• Tragic stories and plot usually come from history • A heroic, privileged, or respected person begins to suffer from loss and destruction • A character’s choices or history determine future events that cannot be avoided • end in sadness and often death

“Against our will comes wisdom, by the grace of God” Sophocles“We learn by suffering” = apathomathos in Greek

Family• Protagonist is deeply connected to their family• “Family Curse”

- family ties and history limit the protagonist’s choices.

- a protagonist is fated to their future• Like the Capulets and Montagues

How did the family feud fate Romeo and Juliet ?

Time• Eternal time and Present time• Present time is made up of history, and future -things that happened in the past -choices made today, consequences tomorrow• Tragic time is unstoppable, irreversible, too short

Choices, Actionsand Fate

• Protagonist often doesn’t understand the choices they make.• They suffer from the consequences of their choices, make involuntary mistakes. (Gr. Hamartia)

- choosing the right thing, but it turns out bad. - unintended consequences

• Conflict between individual choice and fate

Audience• Knows more than the characters• Has a long view of time• Cannot easily tell who is good or bad. -due to hamartia• Often connects with the protagonists decisions and suffering.• A good tragedy often leads to “catharsis”, amazement and wonder at life, and even happier.