Hello everyone,
This blog is written in response to a classroom task given by Barad sir. In this blog, we have to see the characteristics of tragedy and how they differ from each other from two distant points of view: the first is ancient, and the second is modern. Plato and Aristotle represent ancient views, whereas Dryden represents a somewhat modern view.
Q) Do you find any difference between Aristotle's definition of tragedy and Dryden's definition of play?
Ans
Yes, There are some changes in definition given by these two literary writers.
First we have to take a look at the definition which is given by these two writers.
Aristotle's Definition of Tragedy:
"Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude... Through pity and fear effecting the proper catharsis of the emotion".
Dryden's Definition of Tragedy:
"A just and lively image of human nature representing its passion and humours, and changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruct of mankind".
Here are two definitions of tragedies given by the writers of two different time periods. Aristotle's definition is the ancient one, while Dryden's definition is the modern one. Ancient tragedy writers are somewhat rigid in their writing. They strictly follow the rule of three dramatic unities, which is utterly violated by modern English tragedy writers. Dryden, in his critical work Dramatic Poesy, described four different view points with the help of a conversation between four gentlemen. In which Neander, who is Dryden himself, He considers modern plays superior to ancient plays but has respect for ancient plays because it is not an easy task to create such a work of art by strictly following three dramatic unities.
According to Dryden's definition, tragedy should be closer to human nature, as he used a just and lively image of human nature. Because of their conventions and rigid rules, ancient drama cannot depict human nature as depicted in modern plays. Moreover, in a later part of the definition, Dryden uses 'for the delight and instruction of mankind'. Here, delight suggests the peace of mind that one gets at the end of tragedy, and there is some instruction for mankind as well.
Ben Johnson is the best example of a classical tragedy writer because he follows all the classical conventions in his works. Shakespeare is a famous example of a modern tragedy writer whose work is markedly different from that of classical writers.
Q) if you are supposed to give your personal predilection, would you be on side of the ancient or the modern? Please give reasons.
Ans
I would be on the side of modern plays rather than ancient plays because of ancient plays' rigidity, strict rules, and conventions. These things prevent the growth of drama in many ways. First, it is very hard to maintain the concept of three dramatic unities in a play, yet many classical writers did maintain three dramatic unities in their plays. Modern writers clearly have not followed this rule in their works, which allows drama to evolve from ancient to modern.
Secondly, classical writers were against the mingling of tragic and comic elements and supported the separation of tragedy and comedy, which is not there in English drama. They believed that it would affect the seriousness of the drama and diminish its effects on the characters. But modern writers take the liberty to use tragic and comic elements simultaneously, thus creating a new type of drama called tragicomedy.
Works of Shakespeare are the prime example of Tragicomedy dramas.
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