II. In the mode of drama, tragedy A. (definition) is an imitation of an action vi 1. serious 2. determinate 3. in language enhanced by rhythm, melody, and song 4. by action, not by narrative 5. issuing in emotional catharsis B. is primarily plot 1. the subsidiary elements being character, diction, thought, spectacle (including make-up), and song 2. (definition) Plot is a course of action planned to move causally from a beginning through a middle to an end vii 3. Plot is thus animated a. not merely by one main person viii b. but by such consistency (1) as arises from truth, as distinct from facts ix (2) as is opposed to the episodic (3) as is necessary to the catharsis 4. Plot may be complicated by reversal or recognition x a. arising causally from the plot itself xi b. and has as a third element emotion and suffering 5. Plot is the consistent working out, in an illustrious personage, of some human error to its issue a. Prologue, episode, etc., are merely formal parts xii b. Plot is not mere reversal of fortune in a character altogether good or bad xiii (1) for consistency, plot should be single, not divided by reversal to make a “happy ending” (a) as in inferior tragedies (b) and in comedy c. Plot achieves catharsis by its own consistency xiv (1) not by spectacular means (2) for the effect of fear and pity arises from the clash of motive with circumstance d. Plot imposes consistency also on characterization xv (1) generally consistency with (a) goodness (b) the moral habit of the class (c) the received idea of the particular person (d) itself; i.e., actions must be clearly motivated (2) particularly consistency with the causal weaving of the plot (a) excluding the _deus ex machina_ e. Plot is the true measure of the various kinds of recognition xvi (1) The least artistic is recognition by bodily marks (2) No better is mere disclosure (3) A third, by recollection, arises from some incident in the plot (4) A fourth is through the inference of the personæ (5) But the best of all is that which arises causally from the course of the action 6. Plot, in the actual process of playwriting a. demands a habit of visualizing xvii (1) furthered by the dramatist’s acting out of his own