At its core, tragedy is a genre of literature that depicts the downfall of a noble or admirable character, usually due to a flaw in their character, fate, or a combination of both. It is not simply misfortune; it is a descent from a position of power or happiness into suffering and, often, death. TRAGEDY definition: 1.

Understanding the Context

a very sad event or situation, especially one involving death or suffering: 2. a play about…. Learn more. Friedrich Nietzsche dedicated his famous early book, The Birth of Tragedy, to a discussion of the origins of Greek tragedy.

Key Insights

He traced the evolution of tragedy from early rituals, through the joining of Apollonian and Dionysian forces, until its early "death" in the hands of Socrates.