Final answer:
Catharsis refers to emotional release and is a concept described by Aristotle in ancient Greek drama. It allows the audience to experience and empathize with the character's emotional journey, leading to a sense of emotional relief or purification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term catharsis refers to emotional release. It is a concept that originated in ancient Greek drama and was described by Aristotle as the purgation of emotions, usually pity and fear, at the end of a play. It allows the audience to experience and empathize with the character's emotional journey, leading to a sense of emotional relief or purification.