Adrian Hernandez

Long live the king

            As a continuation of the midterm, I chose to show how tragedy can be coined the greatest genre.  I find this claim to be most fascinating and have sought to qualify or disqualify it throughout the course.  The appeal of the tragedy might not always be very noticeable to a reader when first cracking open one of the stories we read in class, especially the classical works.  The story itself can seem to drag onward very slowly at times while other moments appear to leap around in an attempt to set up the reader for something tragic. 

            It is very interesting to me how the plot is developed in a tragedy as it seems, at least to me, that the plot works well in conditioning the reader for what is to happen next, while simultaneously setting up the reader for a surprise.   It was discussed in class how in works like Phaedra, we are led to believe, if only for a moment, that the story might turn out to be good.  Mostly with non-classical tragedy is this made possible through the use of dialogue which can bring readers closer to the characters through their interactions; giving them a more human appeal.  The use of this element can be used both to introduce and build a character while at the same time set up the reader for a surprise later; the plot is king while the character is used to further set up the story. 

The tragedy preys on our inherent emotions.  While we’re conditioned to want a positive outcome where good conquers evil, the tragedy satisfies our carnal desires to see the mighty fall and experience pain and suffering through those whom we might despise.  Because the tragedy is based on the life of a well-known, high status person, the jealous nature of man prevails as we find pleasure while the tragic hero falls.  However, tragedy also works well to connect the flaws of the tragic hero to the flaws of the common person.  We see how obsessions can impair our judgment through Hamlet, how vindictiveness and spitefulness can ruin our relationships through The Homecoming, how the powers of love and greed affect us through Desire under the Elms, and how lies, lust and love can cause great distresses even amongst the gods through Hippolytus.  While some lessons seem more relevant than others, we’re still able to use the examples to show how these tragic flaws can affect even the most “untouchable” persons (i.e. Rich people, Kings and even Gods).  

            Because of its ultimately tragic endings, tragedy finds itself to be less popular than romances and comedies.  It tugs at the reader’s emotions and does not always leave one with a sense of resolve or closure.  The majority of audience members have been conditioned to see the world as good versus evil and they crave a happy ending.  Tragedy requires the audience to think about what is going on in this story and why certain scenes, words and characters are so important not just to the story, but to life.  It is my belief that most people go to the movies or read a book to find an escape through pleasurable recounts and fiction.  Most people don’t want to have to think about the story in depth and most certainly don’t want to leave feeling worse than they did than when they began the story.  This is why tragedy requires a thinking mind.  It requires that the story be taken for more than simply the words, and that’s not going to happen with the typical audience member.

            It’s no secret why tragedy finds itself flourishing during times of great success and national achievement.  When our lives are filled with progression and greatness, we sometimes need to be reminded that the higher we get, the farther and the harder we can fall.  Tragedy is the only genre that can do this and in a very real fashion.  While we may not view tragedy as a genre that best represents life, it is important to remember why tragedy shows up during times of empire.  When we’re not at the height of our lives, tragedy is befallen upon us in our attempt to merely survive.  In modern times, we need only to watch the newscast.  Though they might be small or insignificant now, tragedy shows us how these tragic flaws inherent in us all can ultimately be our demise.