See Also: tragedy(dictionary)
tragedy(encyclopedia)
tragedy(dictionary)
melo-tragedy(dictionary)
domestic tragedy(encyclopedia)

tragedy (iou)



tragedy noun. LME.

a. A serious medieval narrative or narrative poem written in an elevated style and typically dealing with the downfall of an important or powerful person. LME-L16.
b. In classical and Renaissance drama, a serious verse play (orig. a Greek lyric song), written in an elevated style, in which the protagonist (usu. a political leader or royal personage) is drawn to disaster or death by an error or fatal flaw. Later, a drama of a similarly serious nature and unhappy ending but typically dealing with an ordinary person or people; any literary composition with similar characteristics. LME.
Guardian The..horror of Webster's revenge tragedy is beautifully tempered by a touching realism in..[this] production.
A genre of drama etc. characterized by its depiction of characters involved in unhappy or disastrous events, and a serious or elevated style. LME.
Bulletin of Hispanic Studies Types of serious dramapolitical tragedy, heroic drama,..and the peasant play.
An unhappy, terrible, or fatal event in life; a calamity, a disaster (freq. hyperbol.); such events collectively. LME.
Indian Bookworm's Journal It is a tragedy that our best young men are not joining the Defence Services.
b. Misery, misfortune; esp. sorrowful or violent end. Chiefly with possess. LME-M18.
J. Wesley See the Wicked's dismal Tragedy.
c. A distressing or dreadful tale; a passionate lamentation. M16-M17.
Henry More Some would raise such Stirres and Tragedies about.
? Cf. COMEDY.
tragedist noun (rare) = TRAGEDIAN 1 E19.