Oedipus Rex – Themes | Short Exam Notes

• ·         Uncertainty of Human Destiny.
• ·         The role of Fate.
• ·         Spiritual Bankruptcy of the state.
• ·         Excessive Power and Pride.
• ·         The search for Final Truth.
• ·         Sacrifice and Salvation.
• ·         Wisdom through suffering.

Tragic Hero - Aristotle | Short Exam Notes

Aristotle outlined that a Tragic Hero

• He must be "Better than we are", superior to the average man in some way.

• Must evoke Pity and Fear - the best to do this is - if he is imperfect.

• Mixture of Good and Evil - more compelling than a character who is merely good.

• Suffers because of his Hamartia. 
• In the midst of Irony.
• Meets a Sad Ending, but gains Wisdom through Suffering.

A Perfect Tragedy - Aristotle | Short Exam Notes

According to Aristotle

A Tragedy 

must be an imitation of life,

in the form of a story,

that is complete in itself.

• in other words, the story must be realistic and narrow in focus.

A Good Tragedy

• Will evoke pity and fear in its viewers.
• Causing the viewers to experience a feeling of catharsis.                    
• purgation / purification 
• viewers feeling elated

• Hamartia / Tragic Flaw - important for tragedy.

• Good tragedies are filled with irony.

• A sad ending, but the Wisdom gained through Suffering.