Modern dramatists have redefined Aristotle’s original model, which stated that true tragedy can only depict those with power and high status. In his 1949 essay “Tragedy and the Common Man” (1949) Arthur Miller–author of Death of a Salesman–argued that tragedy may also depict ordinary people in domestic surroundings. Other contemporary playwrights, such as Henrik Ibsen, Tennessee Williams, and more recent writers, have kept the genre of tragedy alive and well in contemporary theatre, often using recognizably typical characters and settings.
Do tragedies still evoke a healthy release of emotions? Do modern audiences still accept the notion of hamartia–the main characters tragic flaw which leads to their downfall? Or do modern psychological and sociological accounts of human behavior limit the possibilities of tragedy? For instance, can you think of an example from reading, TV, or Movies where you thought that a better solution would have been to provide a prescription drug (anti–depressant or other remedy) to eliminate a chemical imbalance?
In your response, define tragedy; explain whether it happens similarly to the wealthy and powerful as it does to the poor and vulnerable. Then discuss the notion of tragic flaw as it relates to a character of your choice.
Why is the common man a suitable subject for tragedy? Aristotle defined tragedy as happening only to elite or high–born members of society; Miller suggests that tragedy, character, and destiny can happen to anyone.
Do we overuse/misuse the term tragedy? How does the literary concept differ from the common/nightly news version of the term?
