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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page research paper/essay that examines how modern theater differs from the ancient paradigm for tragedy as defined by Aristotle and looks specifically at two plays, “Jesus Hopped the A Train” by Stephen A. Guirgis and “Red Light Winter” by Adam Rapp, in order to examine these plays in terms of how contemporary playwrights challenge Aristotelian concepts. The writer draws on play reviews for this process. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khcdnew2.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
by Aristotles perceptions of the elements of tragedy. However, contemporary playwrights differ markedly with Aristotle. The following examination of how modern theater differs from this ancient paradigm looks specifically at
two plays, "Jesus Hopped the A Train" by Stephen A. Guirgis and "Red Light Winter" by Adam Rapp, and examines these plays in terms of how contemporary playwrights challenge Aristotelian
concepts. First of all, it is helpful to investigate specifically the definitions and injunctions that Aristotle laid down. According to Aristotle, tragedy is an: imitation of a noble and
complete action, having the proper magnitude; it employs language that has been artistically enhanced...;it is presented in dramatic, not narrative form, and achieves, through the representation of pitiable and fearful
incidents, the catharsis of such incidents (chapter 6, as cited by Brown). As this suggests, Aristotle saw tragedy as involving the ruling classes, taking grand actions upon the
world stage of their era. In Poetics, he specifically distinguishes tragedy as depicting characters of "high or noble character" versus comedy, which depicts people of "low or base character" (chapter
2, as cited by Brown). For centuries this injunction was interpreted to mean that tragic characters must be either kings, princes, etc. while comedy could be encompass stories of the
working class (Brown). Modern playwrights have expanded the conception of tragedy to include all walks of people in all circumstances. Nevertheless, certain aspects of Aristotles definition can be seen in
contemporary plays. For example, as Larry Brown, professor of theatre, points out, to witness the fall of a "completely virtuous person" to disaster invokes "moral outrage at such an
injustice," and the downfall of a completely "villainous person" is perceived by the audience as an individual simply receiving an appropriate punishment (Brown). Neither scenario invokes another requirement of Aristotles
...