Key Elements:
* A protagonist with a tragic flaw: This flaw, often referred to as *hamartia*, leads to the protagonist's downfall.
* Hubris (excessive pride): Often, the protagonist's flaw is hubris, which can lead to their downfall.
* A sense of inevitability: The tragic events feel fated or destined to occur.
* Catharsis: The audience experiences a purging of emotions, such as pity and fear, through the protagonist's suffering.
* Themes of fate, free will, justice, and the human condition: Tragedy explores fundamental questions about life, morality, and the nature of the world.
Examples of Tragedy:
* Ancient Greek Tragedy: Works by playwrights like Sophocles (Oedipus Rex), Euripides (Medea), and Aeschylus (Prometheus Bound).
* Shakespearean Tragedy: Plays like Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello.
* Modern Tragedy: Works by authors like Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman), Eugene O'Neill (Long Day's Journey into Night), and Tennessee Williams (A Streetcar Named Desire).
Distinguishing Features:
* Serious and somber: Tragedy often deals with weighty themes and evokes a sense of seriousness and solemnity.
* Emphasis on character: The characters and their motivations are central to the narrative.
* Focus on suffering: The protagonist's suffering is a major component of the story.
Note: While tragedy is often associated with dramatic literature, it can also be found in novels, poetry, and other forms of art.