Guide to Greek Tragedy & Aristotelian Poetics

Published on 27 July 2023 9 min read

What is Greek tragedy?
Key features of Greek tragedy
Famous Greek tragedies
Who was Aristotle?
Aristotelian Poetics overview
Aristotelian Poetics' influence on Greek tragedy
Key concepts of Aristotelian Poetics
How to apply Aristotelian Poetics to Greek tragedy

Imagine sitting in a grand amphitheater, thousands of years ago, under the brilliant Greek sun. You're about to witness one of the most profound and moving experiences in the world of art — a Greek tragedy. Let's not only learn about Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics but also explore their fascinating interplay.

What is Greek Tragedy?

Greek tragedy is a form of drama that originated in ancient Greece around 2500 years ago. It's like the great-grandfather of all modern drama, and it's deeply rooted in Greek mythology and religion. The word 'tragedy' itself comes from the Greek words 'tragos' meaning 'goat' and 'ode' meaning 'song', making it literally 'goat song'. Don't let the funny name fool you though — Greek tragedy is all about serious, meaningful storytelling.

Now, you might be wondering, what makes Greek tragedy so special? Well, it has some unique features which set it apart:

Profound Themes: Greek tragedies dig deep into the human soul. They explore themes like love, loss, pride, the abuse of power and the fraught relationships between men and gods.
Tragic Hero: At the heart of every Greek tragedy is a tragic hero. This isn't your regular hero. They're often noble and have great potential, but they're also deeply flawed. It's these flaws, or 'hamartia,' that lead to their downfall.
Chorus: In a Greek tragedy, you'll find a group of actors called the chorus. They don't just stand around, though. The chorus comments on the action, asks questions, gives advice, and even talks to the characters.
Catharsis: This is a key part of Greek tragedy. Catharsis is the process of releasing strong or repressed emotions. In other words, Greek tragedies are designed to make you feel intense emotions like pity or fear, and then provide a sense of relief.

So, when you're watching a Greek tragedy, you're not just being entertained. You're being swept up in a powerful emotional journey that makes you think about life and humanity in new ways. And that's just one part of the fascinating world of Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics. Let's keep discovering more!

Key features of Greek tragedy

Now that we've dipped our toes into the world of Greek tragedy, let's dive a little deeper into the main elements that shape these incredible works. Remember, these features aren't just a list of ingredients — they're the secret recipe that makes Greek tragedy such a unique and powerful form of storytelling.

First up, we have:

Unity of Time and Place: Unlike modern dramas that might hop between different timelines or locations, Greek tragedies usually stick to one setting and unfold over a single day. This helps to keep the focus tightly on the characters and their inner struggles.
Use of Masks: In Greek tragedies, actors often wore masks. These weren't just for disguise or costume — they were symbolic and helped to amplify the emotional impact of the characters.
Role of the Gods: In Greek tragedies, gods aren't just distant figures. They're active characters who can help or hinder the heroes. This reflects the ancient Greek belief in a world where gods and humans were closely intertwined.
Use of Tragic Irony: This is where the audience knows something that the characters don't — and it creates a lot of the tension and drama in Greek tragedies. It's like when you know a character is making a terrible mistake, but they have no idea. It's frustrating, thrilling, and totally engaging!

So, next time you're reading or watching a Greek tragedy, keep an eye out for these elements. You'll not only get a deeper understanding of the story, but also appreciate the skill and craft that goes into creating these timeless masterpieces. And that's the beauty of Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics — they're not just about the 'what,' they're about the 'how' and the 'why' too. Ready to learn more? Let's keep going!

Famous Greek tragedies

Okay, now that we've got the basics of Greek tragedy down, it's time to explore some of the most famous works in this genre. Trust me, these are stories that have stood the test of time, and for good reason!

"Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles: This is one of the most famous Greek tragedies ever written. It's the story of a king who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother. Talk about a plot twist!
"Medea" by Euripides: This is a heart-wrenching tale of a woman who takes revenge on her cheating husband by killing their children. It's a dark story, but one that explores powerful themes of love, betrayal, and vengeance.
"Antigone" by Sophocles: In this tale, Antigone defies the king's orders to give her brother a proper burial. It's a story of courage, loyalty, and the clash between personal duty and public law.
"The Bacchae" by Euripides: This story follows the god Dionysus as he takes revenge on the city of Thebes for denying his divinity. It's a wild ride filled with madness, ecstasy, and divine retribution.

These stories might sound intense — and they are — but that's what makes them so powerful. They push the boundaries of human emotion and experience, making us question our own values, beliefs, and actions. So, if you're ready for some serious drama, pick up one of these Greek tragedies and dive into the world of Aristotelian poetics. You won't be disappointed!

Who was Aristotle?

Alright, now that we've delved into the depths of Greek tragedy, let's meet the man who wrote the rulebook for it — Aristotle. But who was he, and why is he such a big deal?

Aristotle, born in 384 BC in Stagira, Northern Greece, was a philosopher who studied under the famous philosopher Plato. He was a thinker who dabbled in everything. We're talking about biology, physics, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theatre, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics, government. You name it, he probably had something to say about it!

But why are we talking about him in relation to Greek tragedy? Well, Aristotle was fascinated by Greek tragedies. He was the first to analyze them and break them down into their core components. His work, "Poetics" is essentially the oldest surviving piece of dramatic theory. It's like the original How-To guide for writing a Greek tragedy.

So, when we talk about Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics, we're talking about a genre of literature and the framework that Aristotle developed to understand and create such powerful, emotional stories. It's these ideas that have shaped Western storytelling for over two millennia. So, next time you watch a movie or read a book, remember Aristotle. You might be surprised how much his ideas still influence the stories we tell today!

Aristotelian Poetics overview

Let's dive into the world of Aristotelian Poetics. Picture this: it's a playbook for creating a Greek tragedy that still has a role in story crafting today.

Aristotle's "Poetics" is a treatise—think of it as an early form of a detailed study guide—where he discusses two genres of poetry: epic and tragic. The part about Greek tragedy is the one that has survived and continues to influence our understanding of literature.

According to Aristotelian Poetics, a good Greek tragedy should have six parts: plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. These are not just random parts. Aristotle believed that each of these has a specific role in the overall effectiveness of a tragedy.

For example, plot, Aristotle explained, is the soul of a tragedy. It's the structure that holds all the elements together. A good plot should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. And most importantly, it should be unified, meaning that every part of the plot should be necessary to the story.

Then there's character and thought, which are what we'd call character development and themes today. Diction and melody refer to the choice of words and the use of song in the play. Finally, spectacle refers to the visual elements of a play, like costumes and scenery.

As you can see, Aristotle's Poetics is not just a dry, academic text. It's a vibrant, practical guide to creating a captivating Greek tragedy. It's the backbone of the Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics we've come to know and love.

Aristotelian Poetics' influence on Greek tragedy

Now that we've got a basic grasp on Aristotelian Poetics, let's see how it impacted Greek tragedy. Did you know it's a lot like adding a recipe to your favorite cooking app? Aristotle didn't just provide a list of ingredients. He explained how to mix them to create a masterpiece.

Before Aristotle, Greek tragedies were a bit like a potluck — everyone brought something, but the result was often a mishmash. Aristotle, with his Poetics, brought in a much-needed sense of order and structure. He was like a master chef providing a detailed recipe for creating a successful Greek tragedy.

Aristotle's emphasis on plot and character made Greek tragedies more coherent and engaging. His concept of 'Catharsis', where the audience experiences a purge of emotions, became a fundamental aspect of Greek tragedies. It's like when you watch a sad movie and end up crying— that's catharsis for you.

Moreover, Aristotle's idea of a tragic hero — a good person who makes a mistake and suffers a downfall — influenced the way characters were written in Greek tragedies. This is where we get our modern-day antiheroes from.

In short, the influence of Aristotelian Poetics on Greek tragedy is profound. It shaped the genre, giving it a form and structure that still resonates in the literature of today. It's a testament to the enduring power of Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics.

Key concepts of Aristotelian Poetics

So, what makes Aristotelian Poetics the secret sauce for creating Greek tragedies? Well, it's all in the key concepts. Think of them as the basic tools in your toolbox when you're trying to understand Greek tragedy. Let's get to know them a bit better:

Mimesis: This is the idea of imitation. According to Aristotle, art should imitate life, and by doing so, it helps us understand our own experiences better. It's like when you see a painting of a sunset and it makes you appreciate the real thing more.
Catharsis: Remember the last time you watched a really emotional movie and ended up crying? That's catharsis for you. It's the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
Hamartia: This is the tragic flaw or mistake that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero. It's like forgetting to put sugar in your cake recipe — it's a small mistake, but it can lead to a big disaster.
Anagnorisis: This is the moment of recognition or discovery, primarily used in reference to Greek tragedy. It's like when you suddenly realize why your plants have been dying — you've been overwatering them!
Peripeteia: This refers to a sudden reversal of fortune, from good to bad. It's like when you're having a great day, and then you step in a puddle. That's peripeteia for you.

These key concepts of Aristotelian poetics are like the ingredients in your favorite recipe. Knowing what each one does and how it contributes to the whole can help you better appreciate the art of Greek tragedy.

How to apply Aristotelian Poetics to Greek tragedy

Now that you're familiar with the key concepts of Aristotelian Poetics, you might be wondering: How can I apply these ideas to Greek tragedy? Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds. Let me walk you through it:

Imagine you're watching a Greek tragedy play. The stage is set, the characters are in their places, and the story is about to unfold. How would you apply Aristotelian Poetics here?

First off, look for mimesis. Is the play reflecting real life? Are the characters and situations believable? Remember, art imitates life, so a good Greek tragedy will have elements that you can relate to.
Next, pay attention to the catharsis in the play. Are there scenes that stir up strong emotions? Do you find yourself feeling pity or fear for the characters? That's catharsis at work.
Now, look for the hamartia or tragic flaw. This could be a character's hubris, or excessive pride, leading them to make a critical mistake. It's like finding the villain's weakness in a superhero movie.
Keep an eye out for anagnorisis, the moment of recognition. This is when a character discovers a crucial piece of information that changes the course of the story. It's like the "aha!" moment in a detective show.
Finally, watch for peripeteia, the sudden reversal of fortune. This could be a plot twist that takes the story in an unexpected direction. It's like the rollercoaster moment in a thriller movie.

So there you have it! Now you're equipped with the tools to appreciate Greek tragedy and Aristotelian poetics on a deeper level. Enjoy your journey into the world of ancient drama!

If you enjoyed our exploration of Greek Tragedy and Aristotelian Poetics and want to discover more about classical art, we recommend checking out the workshop 'Classical Painting in the Modern Day' by Eric Drummond. This workshop will provide insights into how classical techniques and themes can be incorporated into contemporary art, enriching your understanding of both classical and modern artistic expressions.