Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Journal #3: Compare the elements of tragedy in Medea and Oedipus

Tragedy is a complex theory to give an exact definition for. It is a play in which the audience goes through catharsis, or purging of fear and pity. In Oedipus, the title character is the one that the audience feels pity and fear for. Oedipus is a strong, dignified leader, and he gets these unfortunate circumstances with his parents that crushes his dignity. Interestingly enough, the audience, including myself, wants to get to the end of the story where Oedipus falls apart. It makes me feel a bit disgusting that I want to see the downfall of a dignified man, but that is what tragedy is. Medea has a similar effect, in which I want to see how the story ends, and how characters react in the end. But I am vying for Medea to get revenge in the end, because I felt pity for her about the Jason situation. But my fear that I felt in Oedipus was for Oepdipus's wife/mother, who kills herself. I feel fear toward Medea, but I feel more anger toward Jason and desire for revenge.

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