Section II Summary and Analysis

The goal of tragedy is to construct a plot which successfully inspires either fear or pity in the spectator or reader. As such, the actions depicted in the plot ought to be appropriately chosen. An evil man who is suddenly thrust into misfortune satisfies the moral sense of the audience but it does not inspire pity, since the man will be perceived as receiving what he deserved. Further, the effect of a sad plot will be magnified if the misfortune is greater. Thus, the greatest poets always choose characters who belong to wealthy and prominent families; a fall from such a great height will impress the spectator. Finally, though the poet must not choose a character who is altogether evil, nor can the main character be one who is totally without fault, since then his fall would not be...