Definition of Aristotelian:

Of or relating to Aristotle or to his philosophy.

(answers.com)
Essay looks at the list of criteria for an Aristotelian tragedy and discusses if William
Shakespeare's "King Lear" meets the criteria. Also analyses which aspects of the text are
ignored or neglected by reading it in this manner.
King Lear would be classified as an Aristotelian tragedy if it is to be measured against the
Aristotelian criteria for a tragedy. The play possesses most, if not all, the characteristics of a
tragedy as defined by Aristotle. Such includes an unhappy ending, characters of superior
moral quality, a spectacle which arouses fear and pity, a plot built on a catastrophe, and a
hero and heroines undone by a their character flaws. However, should King Lear be
restricted such a reading many aspects of the play are neglected.
(book rags)
Aristotelian Tragedy
Aristotle defined a tragedy as an overall progression from order to disorder, with a final
recognition of the terrible state of affairs, yet without a happy ending. The characters in an
Aristotelian reading of King Lear are seen to be almost perfect, but with one fatal flaw,
which eventually undoes the main character. Aristotelian tragedy also requires a figure who
stands out against the protagonist (character foil), and a chorus who gives moral comments
upon the action. It also includes a spectacle that arouses our pity and fear.
An Aristotelian reading of King Lear sees Lear as a great man with a fatal flaw, which causes
him to act foolishly and bring about catastrophe. This fatal flaw is acknowledged by Lear at
the end, but he still dies tragically. Lear is contrasted to the virtous antagonists; Kent, Edgar
and Cordelia. The Fool also provides the moral commentary to the action in the play. It is
the depths to which Lear falls that arouses our pity and fear, and thus teaching us a moral
lesson.
(bored of studies)
It was A.C. Bradley who popularised the idea that Shakespeares tragedies were about
tragic heroes. Bradley argued that these heroes possessed a tragic flaw (sometimes
called their fatal flaw) which lead to their inevitable downfall.
This was based on Aristotles model of tragedy. Aristotle once said that A man doesnt
become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. An Aristotelian tragic hero
must have four characteristics:
1. Nobility (of a noble birth) or wisdom (by virtue of birth).
2. Hamartia (translated as flaw, mistake, or error, not an Elizabethan tragic flaw).
3. A reversal of fortune (peripetia) brought about because of the heros Hamartia.

4. The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the heros own
actions (anagnorisis).
5. The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.
(language matters)

Questions
1. Read through all the information highlighting new concepts or words that you come across. Did
you learn or find out anything new? please explain?
2.
a) Define Aristotelian in your own words?

b) What are some characteristics of an Aristotelian reading?

3. How do book rags say King Lear is an Aristotelian reading? Do you agree or disagree, discuss?
4. Did they miss out on any themes that you think back up your answer to question 2?
5. From all the information above you have been asked to write a paragraph summary on why you
think King Lear can be a Aristotelian reading include quotes and evidence from the plot?