According to Aristotle, what should tragedy depict and how should the hero fall?

According to Aristotle, what should tragedy depict and how should the hero fall?

• A. Suffering and pain to cause terror and pity; hero is basically good; downfall due to personal action or error
• B. Suffering should be avoided; hero's downfall due to luck
• C. Tragedy should be about miracles and divine punishment only
• D. Tragedy is mainly about comic relief within tragedy

Answer: (A)

Aristotle holds that tragedy should evoke fear and pity by showing the suffering of a character who is essentially good and noble. The hero’s fall comes from a fault or error in judgment—a personal action—rather than from pure fate or malice. This combination creates the emotional impact of catharsis, letting the audience feel and reflect on moral truths as the tension unfolds. The other ideas don’t fit Aristotle’s view: tragedy is not about avoiding suffering, it isn’t defined by miracles or divine punishment alone, and it isn’t intended as comic relief woven into a tragic plot.

Aristotle holds that tragedy should evoke fear and pity by showing the suffering of a character who is essentially good and noble. The hero’s fall comes from a fault or error in judgment—a personal action—rather than from pure fate or malice. This combination creates the emotional impact of catharsis, letting the audience feel and reflect on moral truths as the tension unfolds. The other ideas don’t fit Aristotle’s view: tragedy is not about avoiding suffering, it isn’t defined by miracles or divine punishment alone, and it isn’t intended as comic relief woven into a tragic plot.