Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Critically examine Aristotle`s view on the importance of plot and character. Part 2


Previous Page……………….……….The plot is the first essential of tragedy, its life-blood, some plots are simple and some plots are complex, for the obvious reason that the action of which they are represented are of one  or other of these kinds. A simple action refers to one which is single and continuous and in which the change of fortune comes about without a reversal or a discovery. A complex action is one in which the change is accompanied by a discovery or both. It is told that tragedy is the representation of an action that is complete and whole and of a certain amplitude for a thing may be whole yet lack amplitude. Now a whole is that which has a beginning, a middle and an rnd. So, well –constructed plots must neither begin nor end in a haphazard way but must conform to the pattern.

Aristotle also arrests that the plot of tragedy should be such that it must arouse pity and fear ad does not necessarily end in total gloom but produces us a kind of tragic pleasure – cathartic effect and with this view in mind Aristotle recommends suffering involving near and dear relations in the plot of tragedy. Aristotle says that pity is awakened by undeserved misfortune and he does say that fear comes out by that of someone just like ourselves. Aristotle would like to say that it is the plot that gives the form to the drama and it is the plan that makes character significant and dramatic. A play id like a living organism and the plot is its driving force - soul. The plot is the origin of the play, the foundation of the play. The plot is not only the beginning but also the end of the tragedy. The important tragic action originates in a conflict, Hence…………… Next Page 3

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