I though "Tragedy and the Common Man" by Arthur Miller was very interesting. I agree that tragedy is somewhat a lost concept nowadays. It is believed that tragedies require a heroic figure, and in our modern society, heroes are rare as well as the belief in heroes. Our definitions of heroes tend to imply that they must be noble or famous, however, tragedy can apply to the any common man.
I found the quote in which Miller states, "psychiatry, which bases its analysis upon classic formulations, such as the Oedipus and Orestes complexes...enacted by royal beings, but which apply to everyone..." very interesting. Though many of the tragic stories that we know well apply specifically to noblemen, these tragic complexes apply to the common man on a wide scale.
People tend to place more credence in tragedy when it applies to someone who is sacrificing something of some sort, or someone who is "good". Tragedy begins to be associated with pathetic comedy when it applies to people who are lowly, and do not live to the acceptable standards of society. People poke fun at those they deem deserving of misfortune. And, as a society, we fail to see sometimes that tragedy is tragic and sad to whomever it applies.
I also find the concept of a "tragic flaw" enlightening as well. A tragic flaw can apply to the common man as well as a heroic figure, but it does not necessarily equate to weakness. For example, Achilles tragic flaw happened to be his Achilles tendon. Despite this small flaw, he was still a great Trojan warrior that many feared. Therefore, this flaw which was completely out of his control cannot necessarily be considered a weakness.
I found the quote in which Miller states, "psychiatry, which bases its analysis upon classic formulations, such as the Oedipus and Orestes complexes...enacted by royal beings, but which apply to everyone..." very interesting. Though many of the tragic stories that we know well apply specifically to noblemen, these tragic complexes apply to the common man on a wide scale.
People tend to place more credence in tragedy when it applies to someone who is sacrificing something of some sort, or someone who is "good". Tragedy begins to be associated with pathetic comedy when it applies to people who are lowly, and do not live to the acceptable standards of society. People poke fun at those they deem deserving of misfortune. And, as a society, we fail to see sometimes that tragedy is tragic and sad to whomever it applies.
I also find the concept of a "tragic flaw" enlightening as well. A tragic flaw can apply to the common man as well as a heroic figure, but it does not necessarily equate to weakness. For example, Achilles tragic flaw happened to be his Achilles tendon. Despite this small flaw, he was still a great Trojan warrior that many feared. Therefore, this flaw which was completely out of his control cannot necessarily be considered a weakness.