Consider how 'Hamlet' conforms to Aristotle's definition of tragedy according to his Poetics, and how 'Hamletmachine' resists this conformity. Aristotle's Poetics is considered a guide to a well-written tragedy

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Theatre Research 1 Assignment One Caroline Ranson

Consider how 'Hamlet' conforms to Aristotle's definition of tragedy according to his Poetics, and how 'Hamletmachine' resists this conformity.

Aristotle's Poetics is considered a guide to a well-written tragedy. In Aristotle's opinion, plot is the most important aspect of the tragedy, all other parts such as character, diction, and thought stem from the plot. Aristotle defines a tragedy as "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions". Shakespeare's Hamlet follows this definition for the most part, and even though it is not always in agreement with Aristotle's guidelines, it is still an effective tragedy.

Aristotle states that tragedy is "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude". Hamlet is a good example of this. The play is mainly about Hamlet's mission to avenge his father's death, and this is a 'serious' action. It is also 'complete' in