Wednesday, July 31, 2024

This blog is a part of thinking activity. This blog task is assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir. In this blog task I will discuss about Aristotle theory.

"Note on text which followed Aristotelian literary tradition'' 

Introduction:

Aristotle was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistic, economic, politics, phychology and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that followed, which set the groundwork for the development of modern science.




Aristotle work : 
  
     … Politics 
     … The Athenian Construction 
     … On the heavens 
     … On dreams 
     … The history of animals 

• All work written in the 350 B.C.E. and translated by numbers of writers.


What is Catharsis
  
Catharsis is a term that originated in ancient Greek philosophy and is often used in the context of literature, psychology, and emotional release. In the context of literature and drama, catharsis refers to the emotional cleansing or purging that an audience undergoes when watching a tragedy or experiencing intense emotions through art. This concept was introduced by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in his work "Poetics."

What is hamartia ?

Hamartia arose from the Greek verb hamartanein, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err." Aristotle introduced the term in the Poetics to describe the error of judgment which ultimately brings about the tragic hero's downfall. As you can imagine, the word is most often found in literary criticism.

Now let's write brief note on very famous shakespeare's work king lear 



Catharsis in " king lear "

In "King Lear," catharsis is achieved through the intense emotional journey Lear undergoes, beginning with his misguided demand for declarations of love from his daughters. Goneril and Regan, eager to gain favor and power, deceitfully shower Lear with grandiose but hollow flattery. In stark contrast, Cordelia, embodying honesty and integrity, refuses to engage in such empty rhetoric, instead offering a sincere but understated expression of her love.

Lear's suffering and ultimate recognition of Cordelia's genuine love evoke pity and fear, purging the audience of these emotions and leaving them with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and the consequences of pride and folly.

Tragic hero :

King Lear's journey as a tragic hero is marked by his initial arrogance and folly, which set the stage for his downfall. At the beginning of the play, Lear's rash decision to divide his kingdom based on flattery reveals his blindness to genuine loyalty and love. He foolishly disinherits his honest and loving daughter, Cordelia, in favor of her deceitful sisters, Goneril and Regan, who manipulate his vanity. This choice not only disrupts the natural order but also signifies Lear's inability to discern true character, highlighting his failings as both a father and a ruler. His desire to retain the privileges of kingship without the accompanying responsibilities further underscores his irresponsibility and hubris.


Hamartia in king lear : 

In William Shakespeare's "King Lear," the protagonist's hamartia, or tragic flaw, is his overwhelming arrogance and excessive pride, which ultimately precipitate his downfall. Lear's hubris blinds him to the genuine affection and loyalty of his youngest daughter, Cordelia, leading him to misinterpret her honest, measured response as disrespect. In a fit of prideful rage, he disowns Cordelia, thereby severing his bond with the one daughter who truly loves him. This impulsive decision sets off a chain of catastrophic events. Lear's pride also prompts him to banish his loyal servant, Kent, who tries to warn him against his folly. Devoid of his most steadfast supporters, Lear becomes increasingly vulnerable to the treachery and ambition of his other daughters, Goneril and Regan. As his kingdom collapses and he faces betrayal and madness, Lear's tragic flaw is starkly illuminated; his arrogance not only estranges him from those who care for him but also leads to his ultimate ruin.

Conclusion

We can clearly find out the connection between Aristotelian literary tradition (catharsis, tragic hero, Hamartia) and Shakespeare's King Lear.

Refrence
                                        
 Original drama king lear    (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Lear)

Wikipedia : 
 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle)



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