Drama & Tragedy Terms
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Created by:
jgit14 Plus on May 26, 2012
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11 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Playwright | A writer of plays |
| Tragedy | - In the Aristotelian sense (from Aristotle's Poetics) - it is a classical term meaning a play that begins in relative order, disorder ensues, and finally order is restored. |
| Comedy | in the Aristotelian sense, the characters are less "noble," and the tone of the play is less serious, often providing humor (but not always) for the audience. It often involves "the battle of the sexes," mistaken identities, cross-dressing, and errors. |
| Tragic Hero | in the Aristotelian sense, it is a man of high rank or social standing who has some tragic flaw, which he fails to recognize. Ultimately, he will finally recognize this flaw, and the flaw will cause his downfall (sometimes his death) - the downfall can also be a reversal of a situation where he loses that status. |
| Tragic Flaw | This is what will cause the tragic hero's downfall. Some examples are: indecision, hubris, and being "blind" to the truth |
| Hubris | Arrogance; excessive self-pride and self-confidence. |
| The Reversal if the situation (The downfall of the tragic hero) | According to Aristotle, the change of fortune for the hero should be an event that occurs contrary to the audience's expectations and that is therefore surprising, but that nonetheless appears as a necessary outcome of the preceding actions. |
| Anti Hero | a central or supporting character that has some of the personality flaws and ultimate fortune traditionally assigned to villains but nonetheless also have enough heroic qualities or intentions to gain the sympathy of readers. Anti-heroes can be awkward, obnoxious, passive, pitiful, or obtuse—but they are always, in some fundamental way, flawed or failed heroes. |
| Catharsis | Catharsis refers to any emotional discharge that brings about an emotional or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety. |
| Archetype | A basic model from which copies are made - therefore a prototype. |
| Deus ex machina | An unlikely miracle that saves the day |
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