According to Aristotle, a tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of

a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several
kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; with
incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such
emotions(Nahm 7). Aristotle categorizes the six basic parts of any tragedy as plot,
characters, thought, diction, spectacle and melody. Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet follow
this definition of a tragedy and adhere to Aristotles six elements of a tragedy: plot, character,
diction, thought, spectacle, and song. The Plot, the first principle, refers to the combination of
incidents in the story. Aristotle thinks this to be the most important feature of the tragedy.
William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contain a plot that complies with the first line of
Aristotles definition of a tragedy, which states the imitation of an action is serious and also,
as having magnitude, complete in itself(Nahm 7). This refers to the first element of a tragedy,
the plot, implying that Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet deal with one issue that is very
serious in magnitude such as the conflict between the two families which lead to innocent
deaths. Shakespeare also follows Aristotles idea of the tragedy being of a certain magnitude.
This is because the characters are realistic therefore the audience is capable of relating to
them easily. Romeo and Juliet are upset, while grieving over their impending separation and
angered about the circumstances surrounding their families. They are also unsure of
themselves how they should handle the situation. The audience can relate to this uncertain
feeling and they are able to empathize with Romeo and Juliet.
Aristotle believed the plot should depict the fall of a man who is basically good, but who
suffers from some error or frailty. In the play, Romeos frailty is his apt to fall in love too
quickly and deeply. In the start of the play he is in love with Lady Rosalynn, but soon falls for
Juliet, a member of the Capulets, a rival family. Romeo is blinded by love, unable to think with
rational, which cause a string of negative events to come to pass. The suffering of the tragic
hero also extends beyond himself. Due to the actions of Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt died.
Romeo is first placed in a conflict and kills Tybalt (Juliets Cousin), then he is banished thus
separated from Juliet. Finally he receives news that Juliet is dead. His situation continues to
decline from good to bad to worse. He does not necessarily regress from external
circumstances, but from the tragic flaw in his own character.
The second most important element of a tragedy is Characters of the play. Characters are
those whose actions and decisions move the plot. Aristotle believes that in order for a tragedy
to be effective, it must convey pity and fear. According to Aristotles definition, in tragedies,
characters will undergo incidents arousing pity and fear from the audience (Nahm 8).
Aristotle believes that this change should come about as the result, not of vice, but of some
great error or frailty in a character(Nahm 8). Romeo and Juliets characters have an essential
quality or nature that is revealed in the plot. They both experience a change of fortune from
good to bad, as the love between them is forced apart through a cause-and-effect chain of
actions until they are forced to commit suicide. In Romeo and Juliet, the events or episodes in
the play lead the audience to feel sorry for the main characters and feel afraid for them as

they move toward a destructive end.

The third and fourth elements of a tragedy are thought and diction, which comply to
Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet as well. Thought is both the manner of the characters
speech and the general tenor, or theme of the play. It refers to two things: first, to the content
of the dialogue, and what is communicated by the several parts of a tragedy as a whole.
Diction, the fourth part on Aristotle's list, describes the actor's delivery of his lines. Diction is
the expression of the meaning of the words. Thought and diction deal with what is said and
how it is said. Aristotle explained thought to be, that that is spoken in the play. The play
Romeo and Juliet, in comparison to any other form of expression, is expressed almost
exclusively in words rather than song or dance. Shakespeare wrote the play like a poem with
rhythm and verse, saturated with metaphors. Shakespeare uses metaphors throughout the
play to transfer thoughts and ideas through resemblance to the audience This way of
expression conforms to the section of Aristotles tragedy definition that discusses language
embellished with each kind of artistic ornament. Shakespeares writing is well known for its
eloquent Old English, and lavish embellishment of words. The unique way the play is written
and the way the words are pronounced both fit into the plays elements of thought and
diction.
Spectacle encompasses all physical, visual manifestations of the play including the faces of
the actors, the sets, costumes, lighting, and special effects. Finally, Melody points to the
music used to underscore and heighten mood in the production. Both of these elements are
part of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, thus the play encompasses all six of Aristotles
elements of a tragedy.
Bibliography:
Nahm, Milton C. and Butcher S. H. Aristotle On the Art of Poetry. The Liberal Arts Press, NY:
New York, 1948