[ ] Name : Sanjay A. Dharaiya
[ ] Course : M.A.
[ ] Sem : 1
[ ] Year : 2019-2020
[ ] Roll : 33
[ ] Enrollment : 2069108420200009
[ ] Email id : dharaiy9@gmail.com
[ ] Paper : 3 Literary Theory & Criticism
[ ] Topic : Various Theory of Catharsis
[ ] Total word : 1510
[ ] Submitted to : S.B. Gardi Department of English MKB University
[ ] Meaning of Catharsis :
‘Catharsis’ is a Greek word. It means “purgation”, “purification” and “clarification”. It has been used only once by Aristotle in his ‘Poetics’ while defining Tragedy, “Tragedy then is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude through pity and fear effecting the proper ‘Catharsis’ of these emotions” Based on the three meanings of the word, ‘Catharsis’ different theories have been evolved to explain Aristotle’s conception of tragic ‘Catharsis.
[ ] Katharsis Its different Interpretations :
In the politics, while defining tragedy, Aristotle writes that the function of tragedy is to arouse the emotions of pity and fear, and in this way to affect the Katharsis of this emotions Aristotle has used the term Katharsis only ones. but many and strange are the interpretations of the world that have been given ever since the Renaissance. no pharase, probably in ancient or Morden literature has been handled so frequently by commentators and critics, and by poet's and by men who know greek and by man who know no greek. Most varried and ingenious explanations have been given. This confusion arises from the fact that Aristotle himself have been has not explained what exactly he meant by the word.
nor do we get any direct aid from the Poetic in interpreting the Greek phrase. For this reason, help and guidance has to be taken from his other works, more specially from his Politics and his second Ethics. Greek word katharsis has three meanings. It means, "purgation", purification and "clarification, and each critic has used the word in one or the other of these varried senses, and has reached according-ly a different conclusion regarding the function and emotional effects of tragedy All agree that Tragedy arrouses fear and pity but there are sharp differences as to the process, the way by which the rousing of these emotions gives pleasure. We would first examine the different interpretations of the word. Catharsis and then give the interpretation which seems most appealing and convincing.
[ ] Purgation Theories :
Katharsis has been taken to be a medical metaphor, purgation denoting a pathological effect on the soul analogous to the effect of medicine on the body. By some the process has been likened.
Catharsis’ has been taken to be a medical metaphor. ‘Purgation’ denotes a pathological effect on the soul similar to the effect of medicine on the body. pity and fear are roused and form ‘purgation’ of these emotions. Thus, ‘Catharsis’ implies relief.
As per Pathological treatment with the unlike curing unlike, the arousing of pity and fear was supposed to bring about the purgation of other emotions like anger and pride.
To homeopathic treatment with the like curing the like, and thus, it is said, the rousing of pity and fear results in the 'purgation'. of these emotion. This view is borne out by a passage in the Poetics where Aristotle refers to religious frenzy. It is this view that Milton also expresses in the Preface to samson agonistes when he says that tragedy by rousing pity and fear purges the mind of these or such like emotions, that is, tempers or reduces them to a fear, artificially stirred, expel the latent pity and fear which we bring with us from real life." Such incidental emotions as anxiety, self pity, etc., are also quieted. In our sympathy for the sufferer on the stage, we calm which follows when the passion is spent, an emotional cure is wrought. irg previous excitation of the tragic emotions. Important critics like Twining and Barney (1957), a kind of homeopathic treatment.
[ ] Psychological Interpretation :
F.L. Lucas rejects the idea that Katharsis as used by Aristotle is medical metaphor, and says that, "the theatre is not a hospital. of safety valve. Pity and fear are aroused, we emotions, which we cannot do in real life, and this safe and free outlet of these emotions is followed by emotional relief. In real life they Both FL Lucas and Herbert Reed regard it as a kind give free piay to these are repressed, and in the theater the free indulgence in these emotions aroused by the suffering of the hero, is safe and brings rclief to our pent up souls.
IA Richards' approach to the process is also psychological. Fear is the impulse to withdraw and pity is the impulse are harmonised and blended in Tragedy, and this balance brings relief and repose.
[ ] Ethical and Theological interpretation :
The ethical interpretation is that the tragic process is a kind of lustration of the soul and inner illustration resulting in a more balanced attitude to life and its suffering. thus John Gassner says that only enlightenment a clear comprehension of what was involved in the struggle an understanding of cause and effect. A judgement on what we have witnessed can result in a state of mental equilibrium and rest. And can ensure complete aesthetic gratification. Tragedy make us realise that devine low operate in the universe. Shaping everything for the best.
In Ethical Interpretation it is explained that Divine law is working to make the universe the best place for living. the ethical interpretation is a kind of inner illumination resulting in a more balanced attitude to life. Tragedy makes us realize that divine law operates in the universe shaping everything for the best.
During the Renaissance Robertello and Castelverro suggested that tragedy helped to harden or temper the emotions"juat as soldiers overcome their fear and death after seeing in frequently on the battlefield. So spectators become hardened to the pittiable and fearful event of life by witnessing themin tragedies.
[ ] The Purification Theory :
Thus the critical wrangling as gone on throgh the ages. It is forgotten that the Greek word. Catharsis has three meanings. It means purgation a medical term, and purification and also clarification. Now Aristotle had medical loving his father was a doctor and he himself was keenly interested in the science but he had no religious leanings. and hence it has been supposed that he used the word in the medical sense alone. Advocated in the purgation theory cite the passage towards the end of politics reffed to above where he speak of religioas frenzy mania being cured by certain religious tunes. This reminds us of platos concept of internal agitation being quelled by an external agitaion as in the ease of a child whom the nurse rocks s that he may go sleep from all this evidence. the critics conclude that Aristotle's conception ofKatharsis is that of homeopatic treatment it is a sort of mental cure brought about by the excitation of the emotions pity and fear, and the purgasion of all that is morbid and painful these emotions. They are thus reduced to a just measure however Humphrey House docs not agree and rejected with this view idea of purgation in the medical sense of the term. and become the most forcelul advocate of the the idea of moral istruction ai moral conditioning". which the specialist under largely and penetrating discussion o! the whole question. Humphrey House points out may be a the body brought about. instead ot suppressing them. trains them and brings back the soul to a balanced sate He released to Aristotle s, Nicomachea Ethics and other works and regards Katharsis wis as an educative, and conurolling process. In his Ethics Aristotle writes: Virtue Now Aristotle a made isolated mings Advocates other purgation This remisds of Plato's concept in From is also They are thus reduced to adjust measure However He rejectes title becomes theoary.
[ ] The clarification Theory :
As O.B. Hardison points out, indications as to Aristotle's meaning of the word Catharsis are provided by The Poetics itse!f. While writing of the pleasure of imitative art in Chapter IV, he says that the pleasure produced is associated with learrning and that it is a pleasure enjoyed by men in general, sopher. He points out that, if wel imitated, pictures corpses and ugly animals give pleasure. The paradox of pleasure being aroused by the ugly and the repellent in everyday life is also the paradox involved in tragedy. Tragic incidents are fearful. They include even such horrible aimself, a wife murdering her husband, or a mother slaying her children. Such incidents instead of repelling us, as in life, produce pleasure when presented in a great tragedy. This is the tragic paradox this is the pleasure peculiar to tragedy. Aristotle clearly tells us that we should not seek for every pleasure from tragedy, "but only the pleasure proper to it." 'Catharsis' refers to the tragic variety of pleasure. tion of tragedy, wiiness tragedies. The Catharsis clause is thus a definition of the function of tragedy and not of its emctional effects on the audience. In the view of O.B. Hardison, most translators have erred in rela- ting Catharsis, not to the incidents of the tragedy, but to the emo- tions of pity and fear excited in the audience. as well as by the philo- even of pitiable and blinding events as a man they would do To provide such pleasure is the function.
[ ] Course : M.A.
[ ] Sem : 1
[ ] Year : 2019-2020
[ ] Roll : 33
[ ] Enrollment : 2069108420200009
[ ] Email id : dharaiy9@gmail.com
[ ] Paper : 3 Literary Theory & Criticism
[ ] Topic : Various Theory of Catharsis
[ ] Total word : 1510
[ ] Submitted to : S.B. Gardi Department of English MKB University
[ ] Meaning of Catharsis :
‘Catharsis’ is a Greek word. It means “purgation”, “purification” and “clarification”. It has been used only once by Aristotle in his ‘Poetics’ while defining Tragedy, “Tragedy then is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude through pity and fear effecting the proper ‘Catharsis’ of these emotions” Based on the three meanings of the word, ‘Catharsis’ different theories have been evolved to explain Aristotle’s conception of tragic ‘Catharsis.
[ ] Katharsis Its different Interpretations :
In the politics, while defining tragedy, Aristotle writes that the function of tragedy is to arouse the emotions of pity and fear, and in this way to affect the Katharsis of this emotions Aristotle has used the term Katharsis only ones. but many and strange are the interpretations of the world that have been given ever since the Renaissance. no pharase, probably in ancient or Morden literature has been handled so frequently by commentators and critics, and by poet's and by men who know greek and by man who know no greek. Most varried and ingenious explanations have been given. This confusion arises from the fact that Aristotle himself have been has not explained what exactly he meant by the word.
nor do we get any direct aid from the Poetic in interpreting the Greek phrase. For this reason, help and guidance has to be taken from his other works, more specially from his Politics and his second Ethics. Greek word katharsis has three meanings. It means, "purgation", purification and "clarification, and each critic has used the word in one or the other of these varried senses, and has reached according-ly a different conclusion regarding the function and emotional effects of tragedy All agree that Tragedy arrouses fear and pity but there are sharp differences as to the process, the way by which the rousing of these emotions gives pleasure. We would first examine the different interpretations of the word. Catharsis and then give the interpretation which seems most appealing and convincing.
[ ] Purgation Theories :
Katharsis has been taken to be a medical metaphor, purgation denoting a pathological effect on the soul analogous to the effect of medicine on the body. By some the process has been likened.
Catharsis’ has been taken to be a medical metaphor. ‘Purgation’ denotes a pathological effect on the soul similar to the effect of medicine on the body. pity and fear are roused and form ‘purgation’ of these emotions. Thus, ‘Catharsis’ implies relief.
As per Pathological treatment with the unlike curing unlike, the arousing of pity and fear was supposed to bring about the purgation of other emotions like anger and pride.
To homeopathic treatment with the like curing the like, and thus, it is said, the rousing of pity and fear results in the 'purgation'. of these emotion. This view is borne out by a passage in the Poetics where Aristotle refers to religious frenzy. It is this view that Milton also expresses in the Preface to samson agonistes when he says that tragedy by rousing pity and fear purges the mind of these or such like emotions, that is, tempers or reduces them to a fear, artificially stirred, expel the latent pity and fear which we bring with us from real life." Such incidental emotions as anxiety, self pity, etc., are also quieted. In our sympathy for the sufferer on the stage, we calm which follows when the passion is spent, an emotional cure is wrought. irg previous excitation of the tragic emotions. Important critics like Twining and Barney (1957), a kind of homeopathic treatment.
[ ] Psychological Interpretation :
F.L. Lucas rejects the idea that Katharsis as used by Aristotle is medical metaphor, and says that, "the theatre is not a hospital. of safety valve. Pity and fear are aroused, we emotions, which we cannot do in real life, and this safe and free outlet of these emotions is followed by emotional relief. In real life they Both FL Lucas and Herbert Reed regard it as a kind give free piay to these are repressed, and in the theater the free indulgence in these emotions aroused by the suffering of the hero, is safe and brings rclief to our pent up souls.
IA Richards' approach to the process is also psychological. Fear is the impulse to withdraw and pity is the impulse are harmonised and blended in Tragedy, and this balance brings relief and repose.
[ ] Ethical and Theological interpretation :
The ethical interpretation is that the tragic process is a kind of lustration of the soul and inner illustration resulting in a more balanced attitude to life and its suffering. thus John Gassner says that only enlightenment a clear comprehension of what was involved in the struggle an understanding of cause and effect. A judgement on what we have witnessed can result in a state of mental equilibrium and rest. And can ensure complete aesthetic gratification. Tragedy make us realise that devine low operate in the universe. Shaping everything for the best.
In Ethical Interpretation it is explained that Divine law is working to make the universe the best place for living. the ethical interpretation is a kind of inner illumination resulting in a more balanced attitude to life. Tragedy makes us realize that divine law operates in the universe shaping everything for the best.
During the Renaissance Robertello and Castelverro suggested that tragedy helped to harden or temper the emotions"juat as soldiers overcome their fear and death after seeing in frequently on the battlefield. So spectators become hardened to the pittiable and fearful event of life by witnessing themin tragedies.
[ ] The Purification Theory :
Thus the critical wrangling as gone on throgh the ages. It is forgotten that the Greek word. Catharsis has three meanings. It means purgation a medical term, and purification and also clarification. Now Aristotle had medical loving his father was a doctor and he himself was keenly interested in the science but he had no religious leanings. and hence it has been supposed that he used the word in the medical sense alone. Advocated in the purgation theory cite the passage towards the end of politics reffed to above where he speak of religioas frenzy mania being cured by certain religious tunes. This reminds us of platos concept of internal agitation being quelled by an external agitaion as in the ease of a child whom the nurse rocks s that he may go sleep from all this evidence. the critics conclude that Aristotle's conception ofKatharsis is that of homeopatic treatment it is a sort of mental cure brought about by the excitation of the emotions pity and fear, and the purgasion of all that is morbid and painful these emotions. They are thus reduced to a just measure however Humphrey House docs not agree and rejected with this view idea of purgation in the medical sense of the term. and become the most forcelul advocate of the the idea of moral istruction ai moral conditioning". which the specialist under largely and penetrating discussion o! the whole question. Humphrey House points out may be a the body brought about. instead ot suppressing them. trains them and brings back the soul to a balanced sate He released to Aristotle s, Nicomachea Ethics and other works and regards Katharsis wis as an educative, and conurolling process. In his Ethics Aristotle writes: Virtue Now Aristotle a made isolated mings Advocates other purgation This remisds of Plato's concept in From is also They are thus reduced to adjust measure However He rejectes title becomes theoary.
[ ] The clarification Theory :
As O.B. Hardison points out, indications as to Aristotle's meaning of the word Catharsis are provided by The Poetics itse!f. While writing of the pleasure of imitative art in Chapter IV, he says that the pleasure produced is associated with learrning and that it is a pleasure enjoyed by men in general, sopher. He points out that, if wel imitated, pictures corpses and ugly animals give pleasure. The paradox of pleasure being aroused by the ugly and the repellent in everyday life is also the paradox involved in tragedy. Tragic incidents are fearful. They include even such horrible aimself, a wife murdering her husband, or a mother slaying her children. Such incidents instead of repelling us, as in life, produce pleasure when presented in a great tragedy. This is the tragic paradox this is the pleasure peculiar to tragedy. Aristotle clearly tells us that we should not seek for every pleasure from tragedy, "but only the pleasure proper to it." 'Catharsis' refers to the tragic variety of pleasure. tion of tragedy, wiiness tragedies. The Catharsis clause is thus a definition of the function of tragedy and not of its emctional effects on the audience. In the view of O.B. Hardison, most translators have erred in rela- ting Catharsis, not to the incidents of the tragedy, but to the emo- tions of pity and fear excited in the audience. as well as by the philo- even of pitiable and blinding events as a man they would do To provide such pleasure is the function.
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