William Shakespeare's play, “King Lear”, meets the Aristotelian criterion for a tragedy since the essential elements needed are included in the play. One such distinction is the hero's fortune changing from happiness to misery because of some tragic flaw. Another key element of the Aristotelian definition is a sudden emotional climax that evokes overwhelming feelings of great sorrow, pity, or laughter—catharsis—by the protagonist. In the play suffering occurs to innocent characters, invoking unmerited grief, an important element of the Aristotelian definition of tragedy.
Lear’s tragic flaws are pertinent in defining the play as an Aristotelian tragedy. Lear’s character flaw of hubris compels him to initiate acts that lead to his ultimate demise. His “misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty” (Aristotle 27). When Lear’s youngest daughter Cordelia refuses to openly affirm boundless affection for him, his wounded pride forces him to disown and expel her. He also denied her inheritance saying, “thy truth be thy dower” (1.1.108). Lear again lets his pride blind him from giving any authenticity to Goneril’s issue of his having excessive, vulgar, and disorderly knights. Lear strongly defended his knights saying, “my train are men of choice and rarest parts” (1.4.248).
The experience of catharsis by King Lear lends credence to the Aristotelian definition of a tragic play. Catharsis is used to characterize the transformation of King Lear, and other characters who are profoundly changed with varying outcomes. “Through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation [catharsis]” (Aristotle 14), King Lear experienced emotional cleansing. Lear reflected on his past when he slept outdoors on a stormy night. This experience and interaction with poor Tom set him on a path of renewal. When Lear told the fool, “go first. You houseless poverty” (3.4.26), he put his subjects comfort before his own. Lear’s...