Tragedy is generally a play that recounts an important and causally (as in cause and effect) related series of events in the life of a person of significance, such events culminating in the unhappy catastrophe (fall from high estate to low estate, fall from grace to despair) as the result of some tragic flaw/trait, the whole treated with great dignity and seriousness. Tragedy should arouse pity and fear (for whom is open to dispute), the end of the play resulting in the release of these emotions (known as catharsis).

• Pity and fear should be the response to plotted actions, spectacle okay but not as good.
• Must be a person of high character and demise must be faced with nobility of spirit and courage.
• Demise must result from noble pursuit.
• Tragedy treats human beings in terms of their godlike potential.
• Tragic flaw/trait is an integral part of hero’s character. The same thing that leads to the character’s rise leads to his demise.