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A tragedy is a representation of an action that is whole and complete and of a certain magnitude. A whole is what has a beginning and middle and end.
Aristotle
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Aristotle defines tragedy as a narrative form that conveys a complete action with significant depth and structure.

In this quote, Aristotle articulates his understanding of tragedy not merely as a sad story but as a narrative that encompasses a complete and impactful story arc. He emphasizes that a true tragedy involves a structured progression, including a beginning, middle, and end, and conveys emotions that resonate with a certain magnitude, thereby evoking a profound response from the audience.

Themes

TragedyActionMagnitudeWholenessNarrative

In practice

Example use cases

In a literary discussion about the elements of a tragedy in a classroom setting.

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