Resolution

Definition

Resolution refers to the part of a tragic plot where the conflict reaches its conclusion, leading to the final outcome of the narrative. This moment often brings closure to the story and reveals the fates of the characters, marking a significant transition from chaos to order, or in tragedy, from despair to acceptance of the consequences of their actions. It is critical for understanding how themes of fate, moral lessons, and human suffering are wrapped up at the end of a tragedy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Greek tragedy, the resolution often follows the climax and serves as a culmination of the protagonist's journey, often highlighting their tragic flaws.
2. The resolution can sometimes lead to a moral or philosophical revelation, allowing the audience to reflect on deeper truths about human nature and fate.
3. Common outcomes in resolutions include death, exile, or other forms of punishment that underscore the consequences of hubris or moral failings.
4. The structure of resolution is essential for creating a sense of closure in tragic narratives, as it ties up loose ends and answers lingering questions from earlier in the plot.
5. In many tragedies, the resolution also serves to evoke feelings of sympathy or pity for characters who have faced inevitable doom due to their own choices.

Review Questions

• How does the resolution contribute to the overall impact of a tragic narrative on its audience?
  • The resolution plays a key role in shaping how an audience reacts to a tragic narrative by providing closure and emotional release. It ties up plot points and offers insights into the characters' fates, emphasizing themes such as fate, morality, and human suffering. This moment often elicits feelings of pity or fear, aligning with Aristotle's idea of catharsis, which helps audiences process complex emotions stirred throughout the play.
• Discuss how resolution differs from denouement in the context of tragic storytelling.
  • While both resolution and denouement are related to concluding a narrative, resolution specifically refers to the final outcomes and consequences faced by characters following intense conflict. Denouement encompasses this finality but extends further into clarifying unresolved plot points and establishing a new status quo. In tragedy, these elements often highlight moral lessons or societal critiques as they relate to character fates.
• Evaluate how effective resolutions enhance the moral lessons conveyed through Greek tragedies.
  • Effective resolutions not only conclude character arcs but also reinforce moral lessons central to Greek tragedies. By illustrating the dire consequences faced by protagonists due to their flaws or decisions, resolutions prompt audiences to reflect on themes such as hubris and divine retribution. This evaluation encourages viewers to internalize these lessons, recognizing that actions have weighty repercussions, thus enhancing the overall message about human behavior and societal norms.

Related terms

Denouement: The final part of a narrative where the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are resolved.

Climax:

The point in a story where the tension or conflict reaches its highest intensity, leading directly to the resolution.

Catharsis: The emotional release that the audience experiences at the resolution of a tragedy, providing relief from the buildup of tension.