While during the last week we learned the basis of what tragedy is, this week we learned how much sympathy impacts tragedy and dove into an example. To do this, we watched a TED Talk by Alain de Botton titled "A Gentler, Kinder Philosophy of Success", and read Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Sympathy is an important element of tragedy. Alain de Botton stated "It would be insane to call Hamlet a loser. He is not a loser though he has lost." Sympathy allows the audience to connect with the characters and makes them seem more real in our minds as we feel emotions for them. This is why it would be crazy to call Hamlet a loser, we feel bad for his misfortunes. Sympathy makes what was once just a sad story, into a tragedy. The story of Oedipus the king is certainly one that makes its audience feel sympathy. Although Oedipus causes most of the misfortunes that befall him, he did it accidentally. Unknowingly he killed his father and married his mother, causing the town he ruled over, Thebes, to begin to fail. After he learned of the terrible deed he did, Oedipus stabbed his eyes and blinded himself. As the townspeople learned what he did, they quickly turned on him, making him feel completely alone. The sympathy in Oedipus Rex makes this story a tragedy. We feel bad for the loneliness Oedipus feels and the pain of his mistakes. http://leavingcertenglish.net/2011/04/tragic-hero/
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