Tragedy can be explained as an expression of suffering, pain, calamity or catastrophe that befalls a human life due to natural or supernatural reasons or due to self destructive paranormal instincts of the protagonist. And the most agonizing consequence of human suffering is the sheer helplessness to either overcome the pain or to undo the entire scenario of anguish, thus to philosophize the pain into a form of ‘tragedy’ gives a chance to relate and reason our suffering at a certain magnitude of time and place that lessens the intensity of pain.
The value of tragedy in literature can be adequately evaluated from the importance of suffering in human life and its long term consequences that range throughout the history of man. Most of the works that are studied in the present times as literature are based on the variety of human sufferings and how the battles with the diverse forms of adversaries have been fought by man to finally attain the stature of a ‘hero’.
‘Antigone’ by Sophocles and “King Lear” by William Shakespeare share nuances of some similar reasons of tragedy that originate from the imperial state of mind and end in the corporeal state of being. Both the writers have selected the conflicts between the king and his fears of his supremacy along with the supernatural elements that enhance the degree of the tragic aura. And another salient similarity between the both legendary pieces of literature is that in both the plays an exclusive edge is given to the insight of the feminine characters over the Imperial perceptions.
Sufferings have definitely more lasting impact on the human life than the times of pleasure and joy and because of this reason, writers since 5th century B.C have written works based on tragedies which founded the grounds of influential writings that bridged the gap of not only the hierarchical social order of their times but also helped in providing a connecting link for the later generations to continue the process of questioning all types of existing beliefs, laws and conventions of their contemporary era.
The application of tragedy in drama writing has been more popular till the times of Shakespeare due to its conventional harmony with the entire aura of a drama, even in the later ages till the modern times, tragic plots have gained more reverence and popularity than comic ones, but in the modern literature the focus on the conflict was shifted from the paranormal and supernatural aspects to absurdity of existence.
The conventional harmony between the form and plot of the drama was sought by most of the writers for several centuries by ardently following the conventional theory of tragedy given by Aristotle. The main feature of this theory was that it provided very rational and convenient grounds for the writers to create dramatic works that resulted overwhelmingly with an awe inspiring impact on the minds of the audience and readers. Sophocles was Aristotle’s favorite dramatist and it would not be wrong if it is analyzed that Aristotle’s theory of tragedy finds its inspiration from the Sophocles’ dramatic genius.
Shakespeare also applied most of the nuances of Aristotle’s theory of tragedy but he did not follow too religiously to make him appear more of a Hellenistic dramatist. He introduced his own sense of dramatic expertise. He expressed his idea of life in his tragedies represented its terror and mystery as he observed and contemplated upon them. In spite of his universality and variety Shakespeare employed much the same effects in different plays to serve the similar ends. The first common aspect to all Shakespearean tragedies is that the themes of all his tragedies are essentially stirring and often melodramatic.
In both ‘King Lear’ and ‘Antigone’ the use of tragedy has served the purpose of bringing the most appropriate picture of the government under the Monarchy. No doubt the impact of the tragic element in both the plays is far more exaggerated from the reality yet the interaction of the characters of the same status collide to impart the diverse point of views and in both the plays these diverse point of views are related to the matter of ‘justice’. Cordelia and Antigone are both successful characters in dissecting the kingship out from the personalities of Lear and Creon and make them confront the world more from the eyes of humanity than just to enjoy the reign as an Emperor. But the success of both Cordelia and Antigone is “counted sweetest” at the cost of their life. Therefore the tragedy of their deaths reaps their ploughing of hope and determination to bring change in the system of law and justice and also in the behavior of conforming to the prevailing conventions.
According to Aristotle’s theory of tragedy if the catastrophe falls upon a person of a high status like a King or a General or from high nobility then the repercussions of the tragedy is suffered not on an individual level rather the whole community or the whole nation undergoes the effect of it Shakespeare even heighten it to universal level (as in Macbeth). Thus it can be analyzed in both the play that the victims of tragedy are the Kings and their close relations and due to their suffering, the entire social scenario changes. And the change is shown to be positive. As if the innocent or protagonists suffer so the antagonists also pay the price of punishment. If Lear and Cordelia died in the end so even Goneril and Regan and Cornwall are also killed or punished. Similarly as Antigone commits suicide due to the injustice of Creon then Creon also pays the price of the death of his wife and son and later realizes his unjust attitude and reverts to bring a positive change in his system of ruling.
As Aristotle said, “Tragedy is an imitation not of human beings but of action, life, happiness, and unhappiness.” Very few of the great tragedies could possibly be based in reality. It can be observed in the example of ‘Antigone’. The sole purpose of the entire plot of the play was not to make a woman bury her brother and make everyone around her die rather the motif of the play was to analyze the purpose of living and the also to value the human life and even death. The plot of the play is not a political conflict it is more about one human being demanding the rights to be respected and honored for the sake of being a human on the basis of justice and equality. Therefore Antigone is a great tragedy as it makes the audience or the readers respect her for her determination and sacrifice that she made for her values.
Similarly, Cordelia’s purpose to refuse her father to flatter him for the sake of dowry led her to banishment and then ultimately got her killed but she adamantly adhered to her belief in her values of never renouncing her notion of doing justice in the matter of love and relationship. Some critics even symbolize her character as Christ’s as she sacrificed with the spirit of truth and love for her father and justice in her true love for her father and even for would be husband. Despite are brevity of lines in the play she holds her character firm and conspicuous. As it has been commented by A C Bradley, “The character of Cordelia is not a master piece of invention or subtlety like that of Cleopatra; yet in its own way it is a creation as wonderful”. Her sacrifice not only resolves the plot but reforms the socio-political setting and also transformed the character of King Lear to just a father Lear who after coming out from his trance of Kingship become a mad old man who realizes as a commoner and laments as a father.
In literature tragedy concerns with the fate, fortunes and misfortunes of the characters and the purpose of tragedy is elevate these people of the social high order to a universal high position where they are larger than life to become legends and become a source to bring change around them. The stories of ‘Antigone’ and ‘King Lear’ are great big tragedies and the immensity of tragedy that these two play hold definitely acknowledge the characters of Antigone, Cordelia and Lear as tragic heroes, despite their failures and defeat, they leave behind them the values of human justice and spirit to fight for the righteous rights and thus they add worth to the tragedy of the plot. As it has been quoted in the notes on classical tragedy, “Tragedy has a satisfying, redemptive ending because the events in tragedy are arranged so well that we would not have the play end other way; we accept the conclusion.”
The plot of the King Lear has also been adapted by a Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in his movie called “RAN” and in this story the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji has three sons Taro, Jiro, and Saburo and he like Lear decides to give away his Kingdom equally to his sons on the basis of knowing how much each of them loves him. So similarly as in the case of King Lear the two elder ones flatter him but the youngest refrains from doing so and also warns his father about the danger from his elder brothers and thus he is also banished by the Lord Hidetora Ichimonji. Therefore the story is proceeds with Lord Hidetora Ichimonji’s betrayal from his elder sons and ultimately the lord is rescued by his youngest son and witnesses a war between his sons and ultimately the end of the clan of Lord Hidetora Ichimonji.
According to Stephen Prince, Ran is “a relentless chronicle of base lust for power, betrayal of the father by his sons, and pervasive wars and murders that destroy all the main characters.” And it has also been observed by some critics that the movie is very overwhelmingly exuberant in its visual style and some even say that Ran is not completely an adaptation of King Lear and also carries its own themes of honor, greed, lust and betrayal. But anyhow when the plot of the movie shows how the irrational thinking of the Emperor leads to the catastrophe to the entire clan and also the region the purpose of the tragic plot is to criticize the prevailing system of law and order and justice. The Lord realizes about his misunderstanding his younger son and repents thus the purpose of tragedy is fulfilled.
The tragedy is more to teach than to mere criticize, it aims to correct the flaws of the existing system of conventions and law and order that is incapable to do justice and even does not allow to question for the justice. The role of tragedy in a drama can be explained as it is said in the end of ‘Antigone’,
LEADER Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wis
WORK CITIED
William Shakespeare. “King Lear.” London Macmillan And Co.
A C Bradley, “Shakespearean Tragedy”. St. Martin’s Press New York Macmillan and Company limited. 1966
