Tragedy and comedy

English

Definition

Tragedy and comedy are the two foundational genres of drama. A tragedy follows a noble protagonist whose flaw or error leads to downfall and suffering, evoking pity and fear. A comedy typically involves ordinary characters overcoming obstacles, features misunderstandings or wit, and ends happily, often with marriage or reconciliation.

Examples

  • Tragedy: Shakespeare's Hamlet — a prince's indecision leads to the deaths of nearly every major character
  • Comedy: Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream — lovers get tangled up by fairy magic but all ends in marriage
  • Modern tragedy: Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman — Willy Loman's delusions destroy his family and himself
Key Fact

Aristotle defined tragedy as producing catharsis — the purging of pity and fear in the audience.

Related Terms

Dramatic structure Dramatic conventions Staging and dialogue Character types

Study This Concept

Practice tragedy and comedy with free review games in these units:

AP English Literature and Composition Unit 3: Drama Analysis