Tragedy

Tragedy is a dramatic genre that typically involves severe or disastrous events, often resulting in the downfall of the protagonist. It is characterized by themes of human suffering, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of life and death. Tragedies usually evoke feelings of pity and fear in the audience, leading to a cathartic experience—an emotional release or purification. Classical tragedies often feature noble characters faced with insurmountable challenges, moral conflicts, or fatal flaws that lead to their demise. The structure commonly includes an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and catastrophe. Tragedy has its roots in ancient Greek theatre, with playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, and continues to influence modern literature, film, and other art forms.