Answer:
Aristotle's 'On Tragedy' outlines the essential elements of an ideal tragedy. Three of these elements are plot, character, and catharsis.
Firstly, plot is a fundamental element of an ideal tragedy as it is the foundation of the story. Aristotle defines plot as the "arrangement of the incidents," and suggests that a good plot should be "complex" and follow a logical sequence. The plot should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and the events should be causally linked. Aristotle argues that a good plot should have a "unity of action," which means that it should be a complete and self-contained story that has a clear and inevitable outcome.
Secondly, Aristotle stresses the importance of character in tragedy. He suggests that characters should be well-developed and have a certain degree of complexity. They should also have a moral purpose and should be neither wholly good nor wholly evil. Aristotle states that "the character will be good if the purpose is good," and that "the character will be bad if the purpose is bad." The protagonist should be a person of high status, with much to lose, and their actions should be the result of their own choices and not just random events.
Lastly, Aristotle believed that catharsis is a crucial element of tragedy. He defines catharsis as the "purging" or "cleansing" of emotions, particularly pity and fear, that are evoked in the audience. According to Aristotle, tragedy should evoke a feeling of "pity and fear" in the audience, and the catharsis that follows should provide a sense of release from these emotions. This experience should leave the audience feeling "enlightened" and "purged" of their negative emotions.
In conclusion, Aristotle's ideal tragedy consists of three critical elements: plot, character, and catharsis. The plot should be complex and follow a logical sequence, the characters should be well-developed and have a moral purpose, and the play should evoke a sense of pity and fear in the audience, ultimately leading to catharsis.