Aristotelian Analysis

Choose a movie: a drama or adventure, not a comedy. Reflect on why it works so well.

1. Describe the action (using ONLY the action sentence)
2. Define reversal and recognition and explain where each one happens in this movie.
3. Describe the tragic hero. What is the change in fortune s/he goes through? What is his or her hamartia, the error that causes this change in fortune? How does s/he suffer?
4. Discuss a deep thought or theme that makes the movie so powerful.
5. Quote one moment of great diction, and explain why it impresses you.
6. What is a great moment of spectacle in this movie? What effect does it have?
7. Describe the catharsis that you went through.

Analyze Sophocles' Antigone in the same way. By doing so, you will figure out who the tragic hero is. Remember, the tragic hero is the ONE CHARACTER who has the climactic reversal and recognition, the one upon whose change in fortune the play focuses. It will be a good, not perfect, person, whose change in fortune is caused "not by vice or depravity, but by some error in judgment" (that is, hamartia).

1. Describe the action (using the action sentence).
2. Define reversal and recognition and explain where each one happens in this play.
3. Describe the tragic hero. What is the change in fortune s/he goes through? What is his or her hamartia, the error that causes this change in fortune? How does s/he suffer?
4. Discuss a deep thought or theme that makes the play so powerful.
5. Quote one moment of great diction, and explain why it impresses you.
6. What is a great moment of spectacle in this play? What effect does it have?
7. Describe the catharsis you think audiences might go through.