 |
LITR 4370
TRAGEDY
Final Exam Samples 2015 (final exam assignment) Model Answers to Part 1. Finish Genre Definition |
 |
Part 1.
Finish genre
definition and example(s) from Midterms 1 & 2:
Using
Introduction to
Genres page, redevelop, revise, and improve your "working definition" of
your chosen genre in all three categories (Subject / Audience, Formal, Narrative) and use them to
describe and analyze
the genre you began in Midterm1. Cite, explain, and analyze
two or more examples of
your genre from your reading, viewing, or listening experience and and 2 research sources from course website or beyond.
(total length: 6-8
paragraphs, 3+ double-spaced page equivalent)
Taylor Farley
Understanding and Appreciating Tragedy
My
initial thoughts of this course were similar to those of Hector Guzman’s; “[We]
had other interests in life and have never had an
inclination to gravitate toward classical literature.” However, after attempting
to grasp a better understanding of the literature, I am beginning to learn and
appreciate the genre of tragedy.
Many
people would agree that tragedy has a negative connotation. When I think of the
word tragedy, a list of undesirable feelings come over me; sadness, fright,
depression, worry, pity, anxiety, etc. I believe that
understanding tragedy can possibly
change some of those feelings. Tragedy can be seen as a consequence to human
actions, both good and bad. Tragedy focuses on character and puts the reader in
a position to choose where they stand morally. Aristotle’s Poetics argues, “Character
is that which reveals moral purpose, showing what kinds of things a man chooses
or avoids…” For example, after reading Agamemnon I believed he was a horrible
person for murdering his daughter and I wanted him dead. However, following
lecture I began to understand why
he
chose to murder his own daughter and I essentially gained some respect for him;
I understood his moral purpose, i.e. tragic flaw.
I
believe it is important to continue working to grasp a better understanding of
tragedy. Dr. White mentions on his course site, “…tragedy
also approaches timelessness because it deals with timeless subjects, such as
the mixed nature of humanity, the love-hate relations of families, and
consequences of our environment and actions.” In other words, tragedy is a genre
that will always be relatable to some extent. Tragedy may not be an individual’s
first choice of literature, but it
will not expire or fade away as time passes by; the problems we face in life
today (relationships, families, disease, death, etc.) will continue to be
present from generation to generation. Furthermore, the tragic plays we read in
class this semester will be relevant to those who may take this course fifty
years from now. I personally believe that the greatest lesson we find through
tragedy is, as Dr. White mentions, “You must do the best you can, but you won't
have it all. Some people have it easier than others, some are more talented than
others, but we all operate within painful limitations.” Tragedy lies within
every success story.
The
reality of limitations can be existent at any given moment in the cycle of life.
There is no possible way to escape tragedy throughout life, we are only able to
control our internal and external reactions. A common reaction to tragedy which
I have noticed throughout many plays is seeking revenge as a way to resolve
grievances. Characters from the
plays often talk about revenge and have thoughts of both good (Apollonian) and
bad (Dionysian) working against one another. In The Libation Bearers, Orestes
wants to seek revenge on Clytemnestra for killing his father. He speaks about
Agamemnon’s destiny outliving Clytemnestra. He believes that it is up to him to
murder the person who was responsible for killing his father. In lines 536-538,
Orestes says, “But
she'll [Clytemnestra] pay for his dishonor, by the gods, by my own hands.
Let me kill
her. Then let me die.” The main reasoning for this particular play was to seek
revenge from part one of
The
Oresteia Trilogy. During lecture, Dr.
White talked about how the pain and suffering which was portrayed in The
Oresteia Trilogy may lead to the wisdom and understanding that even the most
self-righteous people will face the consequences of evil to the point of
humbleness. The Eumenides illustrates that idea when Orestes proclaims that,
“Misery has been my teacher…” Although Orestes claims that Apollo urged him to
kill Clytemnestra, Orestes misery of losing his mother due to his actions led
him to wisdom. I believe there are many individuals who can relate to tragedy to
some degree. Although it is not natural for fathers to kill their daughters and
for sons to kill their mothers like we read in The Oresteia Trilogy and the
abnormal link to incest like we read in Oedipus the King, literature typically
paints a bigger picture in which we can all relate to. If it were not for the
melodramatic illustrations of incest and murder in tragedy, I do not believe
there would be an audience for this type of literature. The reader/viewer may go
through many different emotions and feelings such as feeling uncomfortable,
awkward, terrified, or sad, but without the drama we would all be uninterested
and disconnected.
The
way which the reader connects with literature is by becoming emotionally
attached by either empathizing or personal experiences. As for the plays,
Hippolytus and
Phaedra, seeing past the dramatics
and strange obsessions, trying to empathize with the characters may help the
audience connect. When I read this play, I quickly understood the saying, “I
love you to death.” While many people use that quote with no connotation, it
helped me empathize with Phaedra and I could begin feel her pain due to the
revenge Aphrodite granted to Hippolytus. Just as many of the other plays we have
read in class, vengeance is the reoccurring theme that presents itself once.
The
idea that tragedy may not be complete without revenge continues to be
demonstrated in the literature we were exposed to throughout the semester. For
example, Desire Under the Elms
portrays this theme through the actions of Eben’s retaliation towards his
father; he sleeps with his father’s wife, Abbie. Another aspect from the course
which can be linked to this play is the feature of spectacle; Abbie is not
actually shown murdering the baby. Spectacles often occur in tragedy to
entertain the Audience. Dr. White states, “The
spectacle in the theatre can involve all of the aspects of
scenery, costumes, and
special effects in a production. The visual elements of the play
created for a theatrical event. The qualities determined by the playwright that
create the world and atmosphere of the play for the audience’s eye.” Whether it
be a spectacle, a life-lesson, or an issue which is relevant to the audience,
tragedy must include over-the-top scenes to intrigue and entertain an audience.
Each
of the themes discussed above and throughout the course of the semester fit
under the umbrella of life. Until
this point in the semester, I have sat back and listened to my peers’
perceptions of the readings. What I have learned is that although one person may
perceive literature one way, I may perceive it a totally different way which is
normal and appreciated. I have come to the realization that through the
different perceptions of literature, there is always one common ground in
tragedy which brings people together. I have also learned throughout this
semester that just because it is the literature is not necessarily
all frightening and depressing.
For example, the comedy, Lysistrata, had a large amount of comedic
relief; Lysistrata gathered the women of Greece and they all refused to have sex
with their husbands until they signed a treaty to end the war. This particular
reading was my favorite because it was an easy read and it kept me entertained.
This is when I realized that my initial assumption of tragedy was all wrong. I
believe that I can relate my lesson learned in my future career as a teacher. I
will have students who are completely turned off to math, but that does not mean
that I cannot change the way they perceive the subject. As long as I can provide
them with materials that they can relate to and understand, I may actually be
able to make math enjoyable.
Another concept in tragedy that I discovered in this course is that we are not
in control of our fate. Oedipus the King did not choose at a young age whom he
would be born to or raised by. Throughout his life he was the child of fortune,
until finding out that he was married to and had children with his mother.
Oedipus did not purposely marry his own mom that is just how
fate would have it. Fate is another
topic that is relatable to me. I believe that I can only control so much, but at
the end of the day there is someone else in control of my destiny and I can
either accept or reject it.
Tragedy is a genre in which I am beginning to understand and appreciate more. I
am surprised that I am enjoying the readings and I am able to read between the
lines in order to grasp the storylines. I believe that tragedy is a great way to
relate to the reader and to teach life’s valuable lessons. I look forward to
reading more plays throughout the semester and applying what I have learned to
the literature we read in the future.
Works
Cited
Aristotle,
Poetics...
ca. 340 BCE. Text from S. H. Butcher, translator,
Aristotle's Theory
of Poetry
and Fine Art, 4th ed. (NY: Dover,
1955)
Guzman, Hector. “Learning Tragedy.” Midterm Samples. 2014. Web. 22 February,
2015.
O’Neill Eugene.,
Three Plays: Desire Under the Elms, Strange Interlude, Mourning Becomes Electra
White, Dr. Craig. “Tragedy.” Course home page. University of Houston Clear Lake,
Spring 2015. Web. 19 February 2015
White, Dr. Craig. “The Libation Bearers.” Course home page. University of
Houston Clear Lake, Spring 2015. Web. 02 April 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
