Tragedien

Tragedien is a German literary term that refers to a tragic play, particularly one that conforms to the rules of classical Greek tragedy. In the 16th and 17th centuries, European playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Pierre Corneille wrote tragedies that were modeled after the Greek tragic writers Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.

Tragedien plays typically involve a protagonist who experiences a downfall or demise, often due to their own flaws or the will of the gods. The plays explore themes such as fate, guilt, and the human condition, and often feature elements of mythology, history, or legend. Tragedien plays are structured around a series of formal elements, including a prologue, three or four acts, and a chorus that comments on the action and provides background information.

The term Tragedien was first used in Germany in the early 17th century, and was later adopted in other European countries. The style of Tragedien became popular in 17th-century European theater, influencing writers such as John Webster and Pedro Calderón de la Barca. However, the strict adherence to classical models was later criticized as overly stylized and restrictive, and many playwrights began to experiment with new dramatic forms.

Today, the term Tragedien is still used to describe classic Greek and European tragedies that conform to the traditional forms. Scholars and literary critics continue to study and analyze the plays of the Tragedien style, which remain an important part of Western literary heritage. Despite its limitations, the Tragedien style helped shape the course of European drama and continues to influence the work of playwrights around the world.