OutlineDoT

I. Definition of Tragedy A. Characteristics 1. “The imitation of action” a. Not narrative b. Dialogue and form of Action 2. Imitation Nature a. Law of probability 1) The idea of if an event happened in the past, it could happen again b) History influences probability, therefore if an action has happened before it would probably happen again c) Beginning, Middle, End, and they all lead to each other b. Law of Necessity 1) The idea that everything in the Universe has a purpose and that no matter gets wasted 2) Deterministic a) We all have a purpose and that there are no coincidences, no accidents 3. The medium of tragedy is drama a. In tragedy it shows rather than tell b. Drama is more narrative so it tells rather than it shows 4. Emotions a. Plays have to transmit Pity and Fear 1) Audience feel pity for the actor since something bad happens to them 2) Then they fear that since it happened to somebody better than them it might happen to them 3) Then Audience learn for emotions B. Plays 1. Structure of play is order of importance a. Plot 1) The imitation of the action 2) Arrangements of incidents b. Character 1) Personages who have certain qualities like the hero 2) Personages with moral truth c. Thought 1) How we prove a statement 2) General truth (Something everybody believes to be true) d. Diction 1) Metrical arrangement of words e. Song 1) Media which the imitation is explained f. Spectacle 1) Act of acting 2) The hero in action 2. 3 Unities a. Time 1) The story must last 24 hours, no more, no less b. Place 1) The story must only have one setting, one place of action c. Action 1) The complete cycle (Beginning, middle and end)

I. Mimesis A. Is the Imitation of action and nature according to the Laws of probability and necessity 1. Flow a. The Universe is constantly changing and in motion 1) Poet has to imitate Nature, Universe and human to his play      2) The poet h as to imitate nature throughly in order to teach the audience. a) When an event is not probable it is not credible, therefore, the audience will not learn from it for it cannot believe it.      3) Plato thought Poet was a liar a) Thought poet made nature imitate his play        b) Aristotle said poet should make play imitate nature 4) Primo Mobile        a) First mover who started the Universe in motion 2. Determinism a. Idea that every event in nature has a cause, effect and purpose 1) Aristotle believed in this idea.   2    ) Cause a) Cause should follow the law of probability   3    ) Effect a) Everything we do has an effect    b) No coincides ---1. Everything is in its place and action because it was predetermined to be there. 4   ) Purpose         a) Since there are chain-link events, they all have a purpose b) This follows the law of necessity, all thing are necessary  3. History/tragedy/Philosophy     a. Plot should derive from history       1) History was essentially a myth or legend 2) Mimesis was the essentially the imitation of a myth or legend    b. Mimesis is find in tragedies by applying the laws of necessity and probability       1) Shows what could happen to the audience c. Mimesis is philosophical 1) It imitates/Explains nature, human nature, universe and how they should interact with people’s life    d. Types       1) History is what has happened 2) Tragedy is what could happen      3) Philosophy is what should happen