Aristotle’s Concept of Plot and Character

Abstract

Aristotle lists six formative elements of tragedy of these he gives the primary place of importance to the plot. Indeed he devotes a major portion of his discussion of tragedy to plot. Plot he says is the very soul of tragedy; it is the principle of tragedy. He then makes the famous statement which led to such a great deal of controversy. He declares “A tragedy is impossible without plot, but there may be one without Character”. The statement has led to plenty of hostile criticism, specially from the modern critics, who consider that Aristotle is depressing the value of character to that of plot. The two elements of plot and character seem to be set against one another is sharp and impossible opposition. The confusion in the discussion of this question arises from the ambiguity in the use of the words ‘plot’ and character. The plot in the full sense of term is the action and includes not only the circumstances and incidents which from the main part of plot as popularly thought, but also character in the full dramatic sense of ‘character producing action’.