Final answer:
A play, novel, or narrative with serious events ending with the protagonist's death is termed a tragedy, characterized by serious ethical dilemmas and elevated language, aiming to evoke catharsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used for a play, novel, or other narrative that depicts serious events and typically ends with the death of the main character is a tragedy. In theatre and literature, a tragedy is a genre where the protagonist is often a noble character faced with ethical dilemmas, leading to their downfall, which usually involves their death or the death of significant others. Aristotle defined tragedy as an art form that, through eliciting feelings of pity and fear, achieves a purgation of these emotions, known as catharsis. The narrative in a tragedy is serious and complete, with a structure comprising acts, scenes, and line numbers, and often uses elevated language such as verse. Modern tragedies, or dramas, aim for realism and are relatable to the audience's experiences, effectively evoking deep emotions through the portrayal of common struggles. An example of a classic tragedy is Shakespeare's Hamlet, where the noble protagonist faces such serious ethical choices that eventually lead to a tragic ending.