Tragedy

O'Neill's Beyond the Horizon was a striking departure from most of the melodramatic dramas of the day. The play featured real tragedy, which became a hallmark of many twentieth-century dramas in America. Tragedy has a long literary history, dating back to the plays of the ancient Greeks, when tragic events were depicted as a result of a character flaw or defect. Although the definitions and uses of tragedy have changed in many ways since then, most tragedies still hinge on a bad decision by a character or characters. In O'Neill's play, these decisions are influenced by love. It is Robert's love for Ruth that causes him to make his impulsive but important life decision, as the stage directions note: "ROBERT (face to face with a definite, final decision, betrays the conflict going on within him): 'But—Ruth—I—Uncle Dick—."' Ruth is adamant...