Aspects of tragedy Key Terms

Pathos

A quality that evokes pity or sadness, often used to elicit an emotional response from the audience.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to a character's downfall, often seen in tragic heroes.

Tragedy

A genre of literature that depicts the downfall of a noble hero or heroine due to a tragic flaw or fate.

Melodrama

A dramatic form characterized by exaggerated emotions and sensational events, often found in tragic narratives.

Tragedy

A genre that portrays the downfall of a noble character, often due to a tragic flaw or fate.

Ode

A lyrical poem expressing emotion, often addressing a particular subject, used by Keats to explore complex themes.

Tragic Hero

A character who experiences a downfall due to a tragic flaw or fate, often evoking pity and fear.

Catharsis

The emotional release experienced by the audience, often through the suffering of the tragic hero.

Tragic Flaw

A character trait that leads to the downfall of the protagonist, exemplified by Willy's delusions and pride.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, such as the seeds in the play symbolizing Willy's hopes for growth and success.

Tragic Hero

A protagonist with a flaw or mistake that ultimately leads to their downfall, as seen in Willy Loman's pursuit of unattainable success.

American Dream

The ideal that hard work leads to success and prosperity, which is critically examined through Willy's failures in 'Death of a Salesman'.

Tragedy

A genre that depicts the downfall of a noble character due to a combination of fate, personal flaws, and societal pressures.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head, often explored in literature to examine themes of power, legitimacy, and responsibility.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to downfall.

Catharsis

The emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a tragedy.

Tragedy

A genre that depicts serious themes and often involves the downfall of a protagonist.

Pathos

A quality that evokes pity or sadness, often used in tragic literature to engage the audience emotionally.

Anagnorisis

The moment of recognition or discovery, often leading to the protagonist's downfall.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, particularly in a dramatic work.