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Tragedy

Definition

Tragedy refers to a genre of literature that portrays the downfall or suffering of a protagonist, often due to their own flaws or external circumstances. It typically evokes feelings of pity and fear in the audience.

Analogy

Tragedy is like watching a talented athlete stumble and fall just before reaching the finish line, leaving us with a mix of sadness and unease.

Related terms

Catharsis: The emotional release or purging experienced by the audience after witnessing a tragedy.

Hamartia: The tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of the protagonist.

Hubris: Excessive pride or arrogance displayed by the tragic hero, which contributes to their eventual downfall.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.