Plot Structure:
- Unity of Action: Aristotle emphasized that a tragedy should have a single, coherent, and unified plot. This principle is followed in many plays and stories to create a focused narrative.
- Catharsis: Tragedy often aims to evoke emotional catharsis in the audience. By experiencing the protagonist's struggles and downfall, the audience gains emotional release and a sense of purification.
- Peripeteia and Anagnorisis: These terms refer to the sudden reversal of fortune (peripeteia) and the moment of recognition or revelation (anagnorisis) in a tragic plot. These elements create dramatic tension and insight.
Character Development:
- Tragic Hero: Aristotle's notion of the tragic hero involves a complex and flawed character who falls from a high position due to their own errors and flaws (hamartia).
- Hubris: The tragic hero often exhibits excessive pride or arrogance, which leads to their downfall.
- Catharsis: The audience's emotional connection to the protagonist's struggles and fall is central to the cathartic experience.
Language and Style:
- Poetic Language: Aristotle emphasized the use of elevated, poetic language to create a sense of grandeur and emotional impact in tragedy.
- Rhythm and Meter: The use of specific rhythms and meters in speech and verse enhances the dramatic effect.
Spectacle:
- Visual Elements: Aristotle recognized the importance of spectacle, including costumes, stage design, and stagecraft, in creating an immersive and emotionally resonant theatrical experience.
These principles have influenced Western dramatic traditions and continue to be considered essential elements in creating compelling tragedies.