When I re-learned the elements of tragedy, I got to write a paper about the movie "Fargo" from a perspective of Aristotle's tragedy. It was an interesting way to look at the movie. Think of a play you've seen, modern or classical, and supply a character you think is tragic. Tell how and why this character measures up to Aristotle's idea of a noble character.
For example, who, in the movie "Fargo," is the noble character? Is it Jerry's father in law? Is it Jerry? If anyone is, the rich father in law is probably the closest, but are we sad when he dies? What's the catharsis?
You can look in your books on page 219 in the section about Genres of Drama to get more of an idea of what I'm asking if this isn't clear.
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When I was younger, my family and I went to Spearfish, SD. In Spearfish we saw a play called The Passion Play. It is about Jesus as a young man and ends when he isn’t found in his tomb.
In one scene a bunch of children are gathered around Jesus as he is telling a story. In the same scene he also heals a blind man.
In another scene Jesus goes into the temple, and tells the people “, Get these animals out of my father’s temple.”
The play also shows how the disciples were formed and who betrayed Jesus.
Also another scene Jesus is in the garden speaking to God. This is when and where he is captured.
Then Jesus is hung on the cross. Mary takes him down once he is dead and puts him in a tomb.
The people who Jesus on the cross go to the tomb, opens it, and Jesus isn’t there.
Jesus is the character I think is tragic. He gets beaten, tortured, and nailed to a cross for us. So in this sense he is also noble. He died so we wouldn’t have to. He died for our sins, and how do we act?
The way some people act make us wonder if Jesus did the right thing. I say “, Yes.” And when that day comes when I can see Jesus I will thank him very much.
We all sin sometimes but we shouldn’t all the time.
In conclusion , Jesus is a tragic character for all the things he goes through and what happens in the end. He is noble for what he did for us. On the cross he said to God “, Please forgive my people.” After reading this after I was done, after The Passion Play, and after I read the book of John in the Bible I don’t want to sin anymore!
I recently went to see the play, “Laura,” for my second assignment. Good timing for this blog topic. I am just going to paste the description of the play from the Alexandria Area Arts Association web site:
“Detective Mark McPherson investigates the killing of Laura, found dead on her apartment floor before the show starts. McPherson builds a mental picture of the dead girl from the suspects whom he interviews. He is helped by a painting of the late lamented Laura hanging on her apartment wall. But who would have wanted to kill a girl with whom every man she met seemed to fall in love? To make matters worse, McPherson finds himself falling under her spell too. Then one night, halfway through his investigations, something seriously bizarre happens to make him re-think the whole case.”
I could not have described it any better. I will try not to go too in depth about the plot incase anyone has the opportunity to see the show. I would name McPherson as the noble character. Not because he is a detective or protector, and is looking for the murderer to save others, but because he is also human. In the above description, it states that McPherson, “…finds himself falling under her spell too.” He becomes a victim of love. Does this blind him in a sense, from finding the murderer? Do we not see the fault of our significant others, family, or friends because of the love we have for them? This is McPherson’s Achilles heel. He becomes the noble character when he admits his weakness and works around it to get the job done.
in response to mschimek
wow what a great description... if i ever get the chance i will go to the play it sounds extremely interesting. Also seems like it would put the brain to work on thinking. Anyways great job on the description once again.
in response to natalie's post
Great post Natalie. I found it to be very interesting. I have also been to the Passion Play in Spearfish, SD, so that kinda brought it even more into perspective. I definitely agree with you that Jesus is the tragic character in it all.
Wow... as much as I love drama, this assignment brought to me the stark reality that I haven't seen that many plays!
I guess the only one that comes to mind that vaguely works was a play that I saw of the Lord of the Rings several years ago. The character that I found to be most tragic in it was Faramier, the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor. In the eys of Denathor, Faramier's brother Borimier was always the greater of the two. When Borimier dies, Denathor's complete dislike for Faramier grows. All the while Faramier knows of his father's feelings, and at one point tells Denathor "you wish it were I that was dead... and not Borimier." To this, Denathor answered "yes." Continuesly, Faramier tries to win his father's favor, even to the point of nearly being killed in a futile battle. Not once does Denathor show any love towards his son. I believe that Faramier is a tragic character in this case because of what I have just stated. He was everything that any man could ever hope for in a son... but, yet, his father was cared not. In light of all of this, Faramier was also very noble and amiable in that he was honest, brave, honorable, etc. Though he was treated with such contempt, he never once showed that same contempt to anyone else... even to his father.
I loved the character of Faramier and really liked his person and everything that he was.
I went to see West Side Story with my wife about 5 years ago. It was done by the high school drama team in our town. It basically parallels Romeo and Juliet, but is set in Manhattan. There are two rival gangs, and a member of one gang, Tony, falls in love with the sister, Maria, of one of the opposing gang members. I think that Maria, is the most noble character who was also the tragic hero of the play. Tony is trying to break away from the gang lifestyle, but ends up killing Maria’s brother in a gang fight that he was trying to stop. In spite of this, Maria still loves him and wants to run away with him to escape the gang violence and get married. Tony is told that she has been killed, and so he wishes to die as well. It turn’s out she wasn’t killed, but Tony ends up dying in her arms with both gangs around her. She has the opportunity to use a gun to retaliate saying she now has the hatred in her that fuels the killings, she does not fire the gun and ends the violence.
I think she is the noblest character because she was able to go through the tragedy of losing her lover but not retaliate with hatred. She ended the violent string of events when she had the most right to continue it. Unlike the ending in Romeo and Juliet when Juliet ends up killing herself after she sees Romeo is dead.
Dan Juetten
Zachary,
I'll have to go back and watch the Lord of the Rings again. I haven't had the chance to read the books yet, or see a play of it, but I enjoyed the movies. I'll be watching Faramier closer this time!
In response to Dan
Yes, Faramier was really cool. I originaly did not notice him as much either, but after seeing the movies a couple times, I really came to like him. Unfortunately, the movies didn't even portray him as well as they could have. I loved the books.
mschimek-The play "Laura" sounds really entertaining with real life situtations. We often have a hard time seeing through people we love with a realistic thoughts, love does a number on most of us. When we describe love it can be different for everyone however may not be good for everybody involved. I will need to add this play to the list of things I'd like to see. This class has sure been good to think about literature in a new way.
In response to Natelie B:
I've never seen the play you were referring to but it sure does sound like it would be a good one to watch. Nice job at going in depth with your analysis of the play, it sounds like a play I'd be really interested in seeing.
One movie everybody should see is "The Cowboys." This 1973 film with John Wayne as the star has a lot to offer. It is one of the most timeless films I have seen because of the content. For those of you who are unfortunate enough to not have seen the film, here is a little synopsis.
"Wil Andersen finds himself with a herd of cattle which he has to get to market before the winter sets in, but he has no men to help him. He turns to a group of young school boys as his last hope to get the job done. There is no better training for these boys than hands-on as they don't know what they are in for. They set out as schoolboys but return as Cowboys"
This summary was taken from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068421/
which gives the product description of the film.
John Wayne plays the noble character. He works hard to give these boys a chance. Most of the boys don't have much of a home life and need some guidance. Even in his financial stress and difficult physical job, Wayne offers these boys help. This coming of age story is only tainted by Wayne's death. He dies during the cattle drive which further initiates the emotional growing up of the young boys. Just as the tagline says, "All they wanted was a chance to become men and he gave it to them."
This is an inspirational tragic movie.
Renee, your post sounded really interesting. The Cowboy, huh? I guess I'd never heard of it before. But hey, anything with John Wayne is definitely worth seeing. He's such a good actor - I really enjoy watching his movies. That was back when entertainment was soooo much more decent and worthwhile. Nowdays, I wonder... indeed, I know - there is so much JUNK out there!
All through my elementary school and high school in Sunday school everyone in the church's youth had to be part of a play at Chirstmas. Since these are the only plays that I have ever been to this is what I am going to have to tell you about. The Chirstmas story I remember one year in particular that we decided to act it out in a actually barn so we took photos and made into a slide show for the program. We went to a barn north of Cavalier and they had hay and horses and we had our costums on in the barn and it was freezing out.
The play is about the birth of Jesus Christ. How Mary and Joseph went to the inn and all they had for them was a stable with animals in it for them to give birth in. How the wise men followed the star in the sky to present our lord Jesus with the mur, frankin cents, and gold. All in all great play because this is why we celebrate Christmas becuase Jesus Christ was born. We get together as a family to give thanks for his birth. We give gifts to each other like the wise men gave Jesus on his birthday.
The tragic person in the play would have to be Jesus for all that is became to be and do for everyone else. This isn't a tragic story it is a story of happiness and something that we celebrate every year. The tragic part that we know happens later on is that he died for our sin's and this is why I say he is the tragic character. He did good things until his death like health the sick. Everything he did was for others and not himself.
In response to Natalie b. I had a chance to go see this play and then last minute couldn't. Everyone that went told me all the fun they had but no one explained the play as good as you just did. Great job.
Last fall I went to see “Annie” with my daughter. If you haven’t seen it I’m sure you know that it is about little orphan Annie. She lives in a miserable orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Her seemingly hopeless situation changes dramatically when she is selected to spend a the holidays with a wealthy industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. Quickly, she charms the heart of the household staff. Even the presumably cold hearted Daddy Warbucks cannot help but to learn to love this wonderful girl. He would like to adopt Annie but she insists that her parents will come for her. Warbucks decides to help Annie find her real parents by offering a reward if they can prove their identity. Miss Hannigan and her evil brother try to impersonate the parents and collect the reward. When they are found out, it is revealed that Annie’s parents have died. Daddy Warbucks and Annie become a family.
I think the noble character in this play is Annie. Although she is an orphan, she has a positive attitude and always believes that her parents are coming to get her, even after 10 years in that horrible orphanage with Miss Hannigan. She still has faith!
in response to natalie b-
I have always wanted to go see the Passion Play. I heard that it is something that everyone should see!! Your description is great! I think that while watching this play you could get a true sense of how itwas for Jesus to go through all he did for us. Was it emotional for you? I think that it would be for me!
When I was about 16 I went to Minneapolis to see a play with my aunt. We were calling around and went to this little dinner/play theater and saw Medea. At that time, I had no idea what it was or what to expect. To short hand it, the play Medea is a tragedy about a woman who gets betrayed by her husband. The whole time she struggles with the grief and sadness and loss. Her husband Jason is planning to marry the daughter of King Creon. Medea was a “barbarian” woman and Jason felt he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to marry a princess. She feels betrayed and decides to kill Jason, his bride to be and her father the king. She ends up poisoning golden robes and gives them to the princess. She dies as well as her father (King Creon) in the attempt to save her. Medea then kills her two children not because she didn’t love them but she wanted Jason to suffer. I remember I cried when I heard the children screaming behind the curtain and all the audience is hearing is Medea screaming and crying. This is a must see and I would defiantly go to it again now that I’m older and can appreciate things a little more. In a way, I guess Medea could be described as a noble character because she commits and error by killing her two sons. She killed them to show how sad and devastated she was which in turn lets the audiences empathize with her. The play was so good and I would definatly recommend it to people.
In response to Natalie
I have never heard about The Passion Play but it sounds really interesting. I was raised Catholic and saw a lot of plays and things during my K-6 years but I switched to a public school system in 7th grade. After that, I didn't really like going to church and after I got confirmed and left home, I don't really participate like I should. However, I think it is really great how one man suffered so selflessly for the greater of others and there isn't anything wrong with that.
One of the last plays that I went was called “Bulls in a China Shop” I went to this play at a local production that it put on by Resurrected Artist. I really didn’t know what the play was going to be about and it really took me by surprise. In this play there is a house full of older ladies who all think that the younger male neighbor who also is a detective is attractive and they do anything to get him to come over. Anything involves killing each other off so that the detective will come over and investigate what happened. The play continues to kill people off until there is was only couple of ladies left in the house. It was a little hard to find the noble person in this play, but I think it would have to be the detective. He was a good detective, and was trying to help out when there was murder. He would come over a do his job and try to figure out who the murderer was. But he also was the main reason behind the murders. All the murders were happening because the other ladies in the house wanted him to come back. This detective doesn’t know that he is the reason that the murders keep happening. I think that he is the noble character because he continues to do his job even after he finds out that something weird is happening and that the ladies are trying to get him for themselves.
So as I read this assignment, I actually broke out in a sweat!! Well, the mear fact is that I have never really seen a play, other than one that I was in when I was in high school, and “the Titanic” done by local high school students a few years ago. So as I write my blog, I will be trying my hardest to familiarize myself with this concept.
As the book says on pg. 219- ‘It has been said that there is no modern tragedy because there can be no character noble enough to engage our heartfelt sympathy.’ As I thought if this, I was reminded of the movie “The Titanic”, and instantly I thought of the characters that I thought were the most tragic. (The ‘play’ version that I saw of the titanic was a very shortened version, and did not include the characters that came to my mind, so therefore I will be referring to the movie.) I think that a lot of people would think of the two main characters of that movie as being the ‘tragic’ characters, but as I remember, when I watched that movie, the most tragic loss in my mind was the small children, but also the elderly couple that were aboard. As I remember it, they cuddled up together, sharing that closeness, and then dying together. To me this was a very tragic, and unforgettable character in the movie!
Dan, I very much agree with your analasis of the West Side Story, great thinking! I too think that Maria was a very tragic & noble character.
As much as I love drama plays, and musicals- I am having a huge problem picking a play that has a character that is tragic to me. As funny as this may sound, the only one that is coming to my mind is a musical that my sisters were in last April. The play is Dr. Success’s “Horton hears a Who”. I know what most of you are thinking_ isn’t that a little kid’s play; but I love Dr. Susses, and as a child read many of his books, including this one. The play is about an elephant (Horton), who in his jungle is seen as different individual, and appears to have no friends. One day when he was on a walk, he hears this tiny voice, a Who and his town Whoville; all who seem to be living on this flower. As time goes on, Horton befriends and protects this town of whovilles, despite the ridicule he takes from other animals. I find this story to be quite appropriate for all ages, yes even adults. It sends a message of true friendship, with of course told through funny riddles and rhymes. In the play/musical you can see Horton grow stronger and stronger. Before he was picked on, he walked around lonely, and when he meets this speck that carries a town of little people, it shows how a friendship can be made between anyone, no matter what shape or size. It also turns a tragic situation into something wonderful when all judgments are set aside. I know that I may be a kid at heart, but this story is now being made into a motion picture and I cannot wait to enjoy it.
In respone to natalie b. Isn't that story of Jesus just wonderful. Though I have never seen the play, the motion picture is cut wrentching. This was such a great time for this blog. Lenten season is a wonderful time, both tragic and uplifting at the same time. I love being a christan, and sharing the stories of Jesus an how he died on the cross to forgive our sins makes me feel saved!
I came to the sudden realization that I hadn't seem an extremely dramatic play, so I had to respond to a book/movoe.
In the story, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, it protrays the dramatic battle between good and evil. The story is about two brothers and two sisters that live in a war struckin world that get sent to a caregiver's house in the country for safety. The youngest sister discovers, while playing hide-and-seek, that the end of a closet leads to another magical land, the land of Narnia. The four brothers and sisters discover that it was once a peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fawns, and giants that has been turned into a world of eternal winter by the evil white witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent lion Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular battle to be free of the witch's glacial power forever.
The noble character is Aslan the lion. The story has an underlying religious meaning behind it, and Aslan resembles Jesus Christ. He is killed as a sacrifice for the youngest brother (Peter) who fell victim to the witch's (devil's) evil ways. After the third day, Aslan rose from his death and guided a battle that finally conquered the witch and freed all the people frozen in ice (frozen in the bondage of sin).
In response to sandra,
Annie was one of my favorite movies when I was young. It must have been fun to watch the play. It is one I would also love to see, and bring my (hopeful one-day) daughter to as well.
I have to say this week was the hardest for me as i havent seen a play that would have a noble character in it. So after racking the brain all week i though of things that i have seen. So west side story and annie were 2 that i did think of and then there is the cute little shirley temple in The Little princess. I think she would be the noble character in this movie as the little girl basically went from riches to rags. She had so many wonderful things and then got a dreary room at the boarding house once they thought that her father was killed in the war. So not only did she loose her home in India she thought she lost her father and was treated horrible due to it.
In response to Sandra
I would have to agree with you on Annie being the noble person. To this day i can watch that movie over and over. I would love to see it in a play.
This week’s blog wasn’t nearly as difficult as some of the past weeks have been. I have seen a lot of plays not many huge production ones, but in high school we always had assemblies and plays and things of that nature performed in our auditorium. So the play that reminded me of drama was the Wizard of Oz. I thought the plot was good it one of those films/plays where you know in the end that good will prevail but I still enjoy it every time I see it preformed. I think Dorothy is a noble character but I also think her new friends “The Lion”, “The Scarecrow”, “The Tin Man” are also very noble characters. The gist of the story is that an Orphaned Dorothy Gale lives in the depression eras in Kansas with Aunt Em Uncle Henry along with farm hands, Hunk, Zeke, and Hickory. One day, Miss. Almira Gulch is bitten by Dorothy's dog, Toto. Dorothy thinks that Miss Gulch her mean neighbor will try to do something, but her aunt and uncle, as well as the farmhands, are too busy with stuff to listen. She decides to take Toto and run away. When a cyclone comes and carries her, Toto, and their house off to the strange and beautiful Land of Oz. Where she travel to Emerald city to meet the wizard who might be able to aide her in getting home, along the way she is joined her journey by “the tin man” who want a heart, “the lion” who wants courage, and “the scarecrow” who wants a brain. Along the way they encounter the wicked witch of the west who tries to stop them. But like most good dramas good always prevails over evil. The witch is melted and they all received what they had come for and Dorothy is given her red slippers and goes home. I loved this play and every time I see it I fall in love with it all over again.
I have seen many plays. My parents really like going to theatrical presentations. Now to just pick one to write on. The most recent play that I have attended was “Grease”. This was a very good play. I attended this when I was a freshman at UND which was three years ago. I enjoyed this play because it was also a musical. I have seen the video many times so I knew the story fairly well and most of the songs as well. The main characters are Danny Zuko from California and Sandy Olson from Australia. They meet over the summer in California and fall in love. When summer is over Sandy is supposed to return to Australia so they say their good byes. As it turns out Sandy’s parents decide to stay in California and Sandy ends up going to the same school as Danny. There is a problem though. Danny is not the same Danny she meet on the beach that summer. He tries to be cool and act like he would never be with a goody girl like Sandy bur he really does care for her. Danny hangs with a group of guys that are called the “T” birds and they are associated with the Pink Ladies. So Sandy tries to become a Pink Lady and change from her goody girl to a “bad girl” so that she can be with Danny again. The moral of the story is to be your self and no one should be ashamed to be with you even if you are not they type that the group is usually associated with.
For one of the assignments I went the the play the Daughters of Edward D. Boit. The play was written about an original painting. The script was written to give voice to the girls in the painting. The there were four girls, their names are Florence who has the most secrets, Jane who is mysterious, Julia who has no secrets, and Mary Louisa who is the smartest one. Florence and Jane are the older girls described as brunettes who live in the dark. Julia and Mary Louise are the younger two, are blond and live in the light. The girls are trapped in the paining. The play was written years after they died however, it seems that Mary Louisa is the only one who knows she is dead. The play talks about a secret that Florence had. Her secret was one of a romance with a sailor. Jane discussed how the sailor was more enamored with her since she baited him but did not compromise her standards. Mary Louisa is philosophical and Julia is pure and innocent. I think Mary Lousia is the most tragic as she realizes she is dead and stuck in the painting. Jane is noble as she held onto her ideals. The play is a delightful, dark comedy that I would recommend to everyone.
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