Catharsis, the purification or purgation of the emotions (especially pity and fear) primarily through art. ... Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse “terror and pity” and thereby effect the catharsis of these emotions. His exact meaning has been the subject of critical debate over the centuries.
What is the purpose of catharsis?
The Meaning of Catharsis
The purpose of catharsis is to bring about some form of positive change in the individual’s life . Catharsis involves both a powerful emotional component in which strong feelings are felt and expressed, as well as a cognitive component in which the individual gains new insights.
Where does Aristotle mention catharsis?
In Chapter 6 The Poetics , Aristotle discusses briefly the concept of “catharsis.” This is the only time in the Poetics that the term is mentioned, yet there is still on-going contention about its significance and meaning in tragic drama.
What is the best definition of catharsis?
Catharsis (from Greek κάθαρσις, katharsis, meaning “purification” or “cleansing” or “clarification”) is the purification and purgation of emotions—particularly pity and fear —through art or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal and restoration.
Did Aristotle create catharsis?
Catharsis, meaning “cleansing” in Greek, refers to a literary theory first developed by the philosopher Aristotle , who believed that cleansing our emotions was the purpose of a good story, especially a tragedy.
Why is catharsis not healthy?
Despite what Freud believed, catharsis triggers more thoughts and emotions of the same nature. For example, if you are angry and you start shouting and throwing things, you activate more aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. ... This can lead to chronic anger problems , which is not at all healthy.
What is a tragic hero according to Aristotle?
The present study investigates the tragic hero, defined in Aristotle’s Poetics as “ an intermediate kind of personage, not pre-eminently virtuous and just” whose misfortune is attributed, not to vice or depravity, but an error of judgment . The hero is fittingly described as good in spite of an infirmity of character.
What are examples of catharsis?
We experience catharsis in many different ways in our everyday lives. For example, if you ever go to a movie that you know is going to make you cry and you go for the experience of crying , this is catharsis.
What does catharsis literally mean?
Catharsis and cathartic both trace to the Greek word kathairein, meaning “ to cleanse, purge .” Catharsis entered English as a medical term having to do with purging the body—and especially the bowels—of unwanted material.
What does cathartic effect mean?
In medicine, a cathartic is a substance that accelerates defecation . ... This is similar to a laxative, which is a substance that eases defecation, usually by softening feces. It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic.
What is a cathartic moment?
involving the release of strong emotions through a particular activity or experience : a cathartic experience. I find it very cathartic to dance.
In Romeo and Juliet, the two star-crossed lovers eventually commit suicide . The audience, often in tears by this point, experiences a feeling of catharsis. As the play closes, the two families in the story make peace with one another, offering a feeling of closure.
Why is catharsis important in tragedy?
The concept of catharsis was introduced by the Greeks and is, in fact, the most important element of Greek tragedy . ... The actor’s catharsis, in turn, translates onto the audience who feels the same intense emotions as the actor, and ultimately leaves the theatre feeling washed and cleansed once the play is over.
What is mimesis according to Aristotle?
Mimesis, basic theoretical principle in the creation of art. The word is Greek and means “imitation” (though in the sense of “re-presentation” rather than of “copying”). ... Aristotle, speaking of tragedy, stressed the point that it was an “imitation of an action”—that of a man falling from a higher to a lower estate.
What is Peripeteia according to Aristotle?
Peripeteia, (Greek: “reversal”) the turning point in a drama after which the plot moves steadily to its denouement . It is discussed by Aristotle in the Poetics as the shift of the tragic protagonist’s fortune from good to bad, which is essential to the plot of a tragedy.
What did Aristotle say about tragedy?
“Tragedy,” says Aristotle, “ is an imitation [mimēsis] of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude...through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation [catharsis] of these emotions .” Ambiguous means may be employed, Aristotle maintains in contrast to Plato, to a virtuous and purifying end.
