Do you agree with the full title of the play, which suggests that Mortimer has his own tragedy?
Rob Williams
Do you agree with the full title of the play, which suggests
that Mortimer has his own tragedy?
There are many definitions of Tragedy, but a traditional tragedy can be described as,
"an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude; in the form of drama, not of narrative, through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions (catharsis)." Tragedy must tell of a person who is "highly renowned and prosperous" and who falls as a result of some "error, or frailty," because of external or internal forces, or both.”
Aristotle claims that there are six basic elements to a tragedy: plot; character; diction (the choice of style, imagery, etc.); thought (the character's thoughts and the author's meaning); spectacle (all the visual effects); and song. Though Edward the Second is not a Greek Tragedy it contains all these elements, excluding song. However though the title suggests that both Edward and Mortimer have their own tragedies, it is Edward who is the only true tragic figure. Ultimately, though Mortimer’s character may seem to have tragic characteristics, such as his downfall, he does not fill the criteria to be seen as great tragic figure.