Overview
This lecture covers Aristotle's theories on Greek tragedy from "The Poetics," applying them to Aeschylus's trilogy "The Oresteia," and discusses their lasting influence on theater.
Aristotle and the Origins of Tragedy
- Aristotle wrote "The Poetics" in 335 BCE, focusing on tragedy after the golden age of Greek drama.
- He aimed to show that poetry and theater benefit society, countering Plato's criticisms of drama.
- "The Poetics" survived only in its section on tragedy, not comedy.
Aristotle’s Definition and Elements of Tragedy
- Tragedy is "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in embellished language; through action, not narrative; effecting catharsis of pity and fear."
- Serious: deals with important subjects, no satire.
- Complete: each play stands alone.
- Certain magnitude: involves legendary heroes or royals with significant consequences.
- Embellished language: uses poetry and song.
- Action over narrative: shows events, does not merely tell.
- Catharsis: purging or clarifying emotions, though scholars debate its exact meaning.
Six Parts of Tragedy
- Aristotle names Plot, Character, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, and Song as tragedy’s key components, in order of importance.
- Plot is most important; spectacle is least.
- Tragedy focuses on mostly good characters undone by their own error, not by evil or by fate alone.
Tragic Structure and Concepts
- Tragedy should involve hamartia (a mistake or error, not a deep flaw) in the main character.
- Key elements: Reversal (peripeteia), Recognition (anagnorisis), and Scene of Suffering.
- Reversal: things suddenly turn for the worse.
- Recognition: character realizes a critical truth.
- Scene of suffering: results in exile, death, or emotional trauma.
Application: The Oresteia
- "The Oresteia" trilogy: "Agamemnon" (husband murdered by wife), "The Libation Bearers" (children avenge father by killing mother), "The Eumenides" (Orestes tried for matricide).
- Reversals and recognition moments drive the plot.
- Divine intervention and the creation of the jury trial end the cycle of vengeance.
- Not all plays neatly fit Aristotle's model; the last play ends non-tragically.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Catharsis — emotional or intellectual purgation achieved through tragedy.
- Hamartia — a character’s error or mistake leading to downfall.
- Peripeteia — reversal of fortune.
- Anagnorisis — moment of recognition or discovery.
- Spectacle — visual elements of the play.
- The Furies (Erinyes) — mythical beings punishing family murder.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next lecture on Greek comedy.
- Review Aristotle's six parts of tragedy and their application to "The Oresteia."