Final answer:
Tragedy in literature induces contradictory responses: it can underscore the cruelty of the world or lead to a cathartic release of emotions by mirroring real-life situations that the audience finds relatable. Aristotle's concept of tragedy evokes pity and fear through complex characters and actions, while modern tragedies emphasize relatability and realism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of tragedy in the context of English literature explores the dual-natured response it elicits in audiences. Tragedy can be perceived negatively, highlighting the harshness and unwavering cruelty of the world. Conversely, it can also lead to a cathartic experience, provoking pity and fear through the audience's connection with the characters' plight which is shaped by Aristotle's principles of complexity, cause and effect, and moral choices between right and wrong. According to Aristotle, tragedy employs heightened language and follows the structure of a beginning, middle, and an end to evoke a strong emotional response, allowing for the catharsis of such emotions. Modern interpretations of tragedy align closely with realism, making the events and characters relatable to contemporary audiences, thereby becoming a personal experience that mirrors potential real-life situations. A perfect tragedy would focus on a character of noble stature who faces downfall due to a tragic flaw, generating both pity and fear, and ultimately leading to the character's catharsis and that of the audience.