provided original methodologies for the critique and education of literature. Plato’s Apology is an example of his proposed ideal form of prose‚ showing Socrates to be speaking from logos (logic) as opposed to the former Greek poet’s employment of catharsis as the prime vessel for literature’s performance. The poetry of his time‚ claims Plato‚ is lacking in reason and relevance. Being then an oral art‚ it reflected the mere imitation of emotion and was thus an improper educator of the people. Aristotle
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Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 [O.S. 7 September] – 13 December 1784)‚ often referred to as Dr Johnson‚ was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet‚ essayist‚ moralist‚ literary critic‚ biographer‚ editor and lexicographer. Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory‚ and has been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history."[1] He is also the subject of "the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole
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tragedies‚ in which the audience would experience a form of emotional cleansing called "catharsis". Throughout the play the tragedy would lead the audience to the realisation that other people suffer much more than them‚ and consequently the audience felt "ekstasis" or a state of relief. Through a discussion of human context‚ mood and symbol‚ it will be discussed how the show was constructed to facilitate "catharsis" and "ekstasis" and consequently become an "offering of healing". Human context has
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Sri Guttikonda Aristotle’s Advocate: Oedipus The Colonus An ancient Greek play consists of many elements that allow to be defined as a tragedy. Some of these elements include catharsis‚ the overflow or release of an excessive amount of emotions‚ and hamartia‚ a fatal flaw that leads the main character’s‚ Oedipus’s‚ downfall. So far‚ a blind Oedipus who suffers a horrible fate because of his past wanders into Colonus‚ a city near Athens. There‚ Oedipus and his daughter‚ Antigone‚ have an
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the ultimate demise of himself. Oedipus’ actions are tragic‚ as he tries to make the right choice but fails. He was dealt a hand that would only lead him to lose. Furthermore‚ Sophocles develops Oedipus as a relatable character which allows for catharsis to occur. Aristotle’s‚ The Poetics‚ explains the necessary components to create a powerful Tragedy. Oedipus the King is a powerful representation of Aristotle’s ideas on tragedy‚ so the purpose‚ protagonist‚ fall‚ and plot elements in Oedipus the
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An individual’s role in society can vary with the number themes the characters exhibit. When there are signs of fate‚ cruelties‚ weaknesses‚ and desires for justice and catharsis the role of an individual becomes more complicated. In Antigone‚ most of those themes are shown thus a single person’s influence or role on society is very small and complicated to attain. However in The Lottery the society has most of the control and there is not many signs of those characteristics so the role of a person
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to his human frailties. However it is not only because of these human frailties that the audience feel empathy towards Oedipus‚ the tragedy’s specific purpose as stated by Aristotle is to "arouse the audience to experience pity and fear"‚ through catharsis. Empathy is also brought about through the collective nature of elements in a Greek tragedy‚ which include the role of hamartia‚ the character‚ the chorus and the inevitability of fate. Hamartia puts the tragic event beyond Oedipus’ control and
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" (www.killdevilhill.com) Another definition describes an archetypal tragic hero as having six distinct characteristics. They are "Noble stature‚ tragic flaw‚ free choice‚ punishment exceeding crime‚ increased awareness‚ (the ability to) produce catharsis in the audience". (www.kysu.edu) In The Crucible by Arthur Miller John Proctor is by definition a tragic hero. The first characteristic of a tragic hero was "Noble stature: since tragedy involves the ’fall’ of a tragic hero... one must have a lofty
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to act to avenge his father’s death. Another character in Hamlet that displays hamartia is Polonius‚ who interferes in everyone’s affairs. Hamlet’s hamartia is his indecisiveness and Polonius’ tragic flaw is interference. Two scenes that create catharsis‚ is the death of Polonius and the swordfight at the end of the play. The flaws of these gentlemen are what lead to the death of not only themselves but many others. “To be or not to be” (Shakespeare) defines Hamlet to perfection and it is this
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Prometheus Bound is the story of the god Prometheus and the events that follow after he disobeys the new ruler‚ Zeus‚ by granting gifts of survival‚ namely fire‚ to humankind. Catharsis is found in the play because the audience pities Prometheus for having to suffer for an act of kindness. Prometheus Bound combines hamartia with catharsis because of the intentions of the hero and its elements of Aristotle’s tragedy. Prometheus’ hamartia is brought on because of his error in judgment by granting the gift
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