Expert: Larry Giuliano - 6/11/2006

Question
Dear Larry Giuliano

How do you define the difference between classical & medieval tragedy (my daughter is studying, "A Nun's Priest Tale.")  We've defined medival tragedy as a prose or poetic narrative, not a drama - will this do for an exam answer - and would like definition for "classical tragedy."


PS My daughter is sitting her 'A' level exam tomorrow.  

Answer
Hi Ingrid,

You are correct in stating that one is a drama and one a prose/poetic narrative, but there are more differences to consider.

Classical tragedy comes from Aristotle’s poetics and is an element of drama. According to Aristotle, tragedy involves a character of noble birth who falls from prosperity to misery because of a tragic flaw (usually a human frailty). Aside from the tragic flaw, the protagonist is basically a good person. The downfall of an evil person is not tragic. According to Aristotle, the plot must involve revolution (unexpected reversals) ad discovery (the character learns something that had been hidden. Tragedy evokes pity and fear, which leads to a catharsis—a purging of emotion.

The medieval tagedy is a prose or poetic narrative, not a drama. Like classical tragedy, Medieval tragedy also involves a reversal of fortune, a falling from high status to low. However, this reversal is not caused by a tragic flaw, but rather by fortune, personified as a blindfolded woman who, at a whim, turned a wheel with men stationed at various points on the wheel. A man could land at the top or bottom.

I hope this helps. I will be glad to offer any additional help.