Assignment #3

What is Catharsis?

Catharsis is the release, removal, or purging of strong emotions or emotional tensions through an overwhelming or strong experience. For example, a cathartic experience could take form in a violent movie. The second-hand violence that the viewer experiences may purge the viewer’s need for violence in real life; whether or not this actually happens is debatable. There are several ways in which catharsis manifests itself to affect an audience. However, the end result is the same; through catharsis, the audience will have a sense of completion, and they are rid of any negative feelings towards the characters.

What are the term’s roots?

Catharsis comes from the Greek word καθαρός and it literally translates as “to purify, purge”. It originated in Classical Greece as an ancient medical term, as the process where one expels what is strange to the organism and deleterious to the body. Aristotle was the first to write about catharsis in his book Poetics, where he commented on how people can feel cured and relieved when they hear the sacred chants which influence the soul.

Historically, catharsis has also had its applications in religion. In order to escape from unclean influences a man had to purify himself and the objects around him. For example, in the Old Testament, catharsis was accomplished by washing and bathing. From the medical point of view, catharsis was used to rid a person of disease or plague, caused by religious and moral sins.

Applications in Macbeth: Warning: Some spoilers

Catharsis of the audience

The main example of catharsis would be Macbeth’s death because the audience is both stunned and it seems the foul acts have been purged away. Throughout the play, audiences become disgusted and disconnected from Macbeth because of his notorious crimes. For example, in Act 3.1 Macbeth orders assassins to kill his closest friend, Banquo. This sudden decision shocks the readers and makes them feel that Macbeth's actions are no longer justified. At the end of the play, the culminating fear and disgust aimed at Macbeth is purged through the killing of Macbeth.

The killing of King Duncan can also be thought of as catharsis because it cleanses and it brings an end to the suspense. Shortly after, the feelings of the audience are purged because they no longer feel the anxiety they felt before while anticipating the murder of King Duncan. Another catharsis occurs when the audience is relieved of Lady Macbeth's problems when she commits suicide near the end. Although it is not explicitly mentioned, the idea when passed to the audience may create a catharsis. However, the above two examples are only cathartic in nature because they are very short-term and only affect a small portion of the play watcher's emotions.

For the purpose of our assignment, the only true catharsis would be the first example because it purges the audience from all of their emotions which have accumulated during the play.


Works Cited

Brown, Larry A. "Aristotle on Greek Tragedy." January 2005. 1 Feb 2007 http://larryavisbrown.homestead.com/Aristotle_Tragedy.html

Brunius, Teddy (May 1, 2003). Catharsis. February 1, 2007. http://etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-36

Pucci, Bruno (n.d.) Catharsis from Greek to the Culture Industry. February 2, 2007.
http://construct.haifa.ac.il/~ilangz/oslo/pucci_newton.htm

Underwood, Mick. "Mass media: effects." 21 June 2003. Cultsock. 1 Feb. 2006.
http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/efterms.html