'Othello' and Aristotle's conventions of tragedy
I can explore how the structure of the play ‘Othello’ meets or subverts Aristotle's model for tragedy.
'Othello' and Aristotle's conventions of tragedy
I can explore how the structure of the play ‘Othello’ meets or subverts Aristotle's model for tragedy.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Aristotle prescribed criteria for tragedy and comedy.
- Aristotle prescribed unity of time, place and action.
- The plot in a tragedy should evoke pity and fear in an audience and end with catharsis.
- A tragic hero - a man of noble standing with a fatal flaw and an error of judgement - must meet a demise.
Keywords
Tragic hero - A central character that experiences a tragic downfall.
Hamartia - A tragic hero’s fatal fault or mistake that leads to their catastrophic end.
Peripeteia - A pivotal action that changes the protagonist’s fate from secure to vulnerable.
Catharsis - The process of releasing emotions.
Anagnorisis - A moment of insight where the tragic hero understands their fate.
Common misconception
A tragedy is simply a sad play.
Tragedies have specific conventions, such as a tragic hero and their hamartia, a tragic fall and elements of fate or the supernatural.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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