complete sample essay

            Part of the problem with classifying literature as “good, better, best” is that so much of it falls into different categories.  Comparing Satyricon to Star Wars is not only difficult because both were iconic and popular, but also because they represent two completely different types of drama.  Satyricon is a political satire aimed at making fun or the Roman elite while Star Wars is a science-fiction romance aimed at making a tremendous visual impact.  Thus, each work is part of a separate genre, or literary type.  However, genre applies to more than just literature; it can also apply to things like music, architecture, and art.  Almost any creative (not scientific) subject that can be divided will be divided into genres.  Among those who study literature, tragedy is considered to be the greatest or most profound genre.
            One of the factors contributing to tragedy’s greatness is its uniqueness.  Romance, comedy, and to some extent history almost always turn out well in the end.  According to Aristotle, comedy involves a plot that basically moves from bad to good (handout).  Romance and history, even though they usually end well, do not necessarily follow the same pattern.  Instead, romance involves opposing extremities like good vs. evil, annihilation or salvation, and love against hate.  While the conflict can be tragic and the end may not always be “happy”, romance tends to oversimplify, or dehumanize the characters to some extent in the interest of creating the original conflict.  Therefore, the feeling of sadness over a lost character is usually short-lived.  So comedy and romance tend to leave the audience feeling lighthearted and lighthearted.  Tragedy is not like this.  Often, the feeling of sadness, pity, and fear over a tragic character is overwhelming to the point where people continuously discuss it (class discussion) and the book stays open.  Furthermore, the characters of tragedy become much more “human” because they are not polarized into good or evil.  As a result, people tend to identify with them more closely.  This technique is a method is used to deliberately intensify the feeling of loss within the audience.
            Aristotle tends to focus on the catharsis, or release of emotions, in tragedy as its defining characteristic.  While I agree that this “release” is an integral part of appreciating tragedy, I also believe that there is another dimension to tragedy which keeps it great.  “Referring to tragedy as the greatest literary genre does not mean the reader or watcher enjoys being tormented with sadness, but that he or she wants the overall stimulation that tragedy provides,” (LR 02).  While catharsis certainly provides some of this stimulation, another part of it comes from watching the characters live through their trials and either survive as Oedipus does, or “move beyond” like Hamlet.  “Tragedies test the stamina of man and produce a transformed man who has a better understanding of his strengths and weaknesses,” (RR 02).  This sense of hope that tragedy often conveys is part of what sustains its greatness.  If all tragedies ended in total calamity, then all tragedies would be basically identical.  The sense of love and resolution at the end of Desire under the Elms shows that the characters finally understand each other and that this understanding is what they needed, despite whatever else happens to them.
            Naturally, not all tragedies end as hopefully as Desire under the Elms.  In fact, I believe that O’Neill pushes the definition of tragedy with Desire under the Elms because it has such a satisfying ending.  Classical works like Antigone represent the other, more traditional way that a tragedy may end.  For example, Creon does eventually conquer his pride, but by the time he does so it is already too late.  The deaths of so many innocent and honorable characters severely overbalance any kind of hope the audience might feel for Creon and the lesson he learns.  If Desire under the Elms ends in hope, then Antigone ends in calamity.  As seen from these examples, all tragedies contain a thread of continuity and tradition from which they draw their greatness.  This thread involves things like realism, and catharsis.  However, there is enough variation within the greatest pieces to keep audiences interested.  This is why tragedy will continue to be the greatest genre, even if it is not the most popular. [DC]