Blog #10
A very important idea in Aristotle's theory of tragedy is that we feel pity for people who suffer unmerited misfortune (and we also fear that we might be in the same position one day).
What makes it easier for us to feel pity with people in a tragedy or indeed any play or film/movie? And what makes it harder for us to feel pity with people? Do you agree with Aristotle that they must be 'like us' for us to feel pity for them?
I think that it makes it easier for us to feel pity with people in a tragedy or indeed any play or film/movie because it may be a situation that is relatable to something that we may have endured in our life or we may feel helpless because we can’t do anything to change their situation. I think that it’s a great thing to have that emotional connection to any film. It shows that we can still be empathetic to others and we are still human. When it comes to feeling pity for actual people, I think we sometimes question if what they are saying or going through is completely true. I think that living in NY has desensitized us in a way because everyday we see people who are homeless and in need. Sad, but it’s nothing new to us. There’s so many people that we sometime think that we can’t help them all so we will leave it up to the government or someone is. Now when I go back home to NC and I see a homeless person, it’s a little shocking to me because it’s not normal to see that, therefore, I am more likely going to help that person. I do agree with Aristotle that they must be “like us” for us to feel pity for them. When something is more relatable or “close to home”, we put ourselves in their shoes and that is why we feel pity for them.