The Beauty of Tragedy

 

 

 

 

     Outside of the Bible, the Qru'an, and perhaps Pilgrim's Progress, (taking into account that we can't keep perfect tabs on such things), probably the most widely read story in history is Shakespeare's Hamlet. How can a story in which we see incest/adultery, murder, and betrayal, be so popular as to be translated into every major language. How can a play in which nearly every character is spralled dead on the floor at the end, be such a masterpiece of visual storytelling. Simply put, because Shakespeare understood the beauty of tragedy.

     While I am in no way stating or advocating a doom and gloom outlook on life, it would be foolish to say that tragedy is not only a part of the world, but an extremely influential one. It was influential even before the Adam walked in the garden of Eden, when a beautiful and wonderful angel named Lucifer, out of his pride and arrogance, decided to break his Lord's heart, and spread tragedy to all the world. It will be there when this world is no more. I have heard many ideas on the Heaven and Hell, but perhaps the most interesting concerns why it is believed that those in Heaven will be able to see Hell, yet not be a part of it, and vice versa. It was explained to me that the most likely reason is that it will give something that will provide a basis for which to compare Heaven and Hell, similar to how we compare good and evil. Good is that much sweeter when compared to evil, as Heaven will be that much sweeter when one is able to observe Hell. Thus, even in the afterlife, there will be tragedy, even if we are no longer a part of it. Why is this?

     I think that the reason is that because tragedy causes us to think more than the other forms of storytelling; at least think seriously. While the others may cause us to think on there message or content (if there is any), they do not speak to us as tragedy does. Tragedy and misfortune will make you think without ever having to say anything. The final moments of Gladiator and Braveheart, among other movies, illustrate this well. There is a reason that God chooses most often to speak to us in the worst times of our life. There is a reason that the Renaissance paintings of Jesus death are more affecting than perhaps any other paintings in history. Or Michelangelo's scene on the Sistine Chapel where Adam reaches out to touch the hand of God, yet can't quite reach it as God leaves with His cherubs. Tragedy truly speaks to us, often without uttering a word. I leave you with this extremely beautiful song, that well illustrates the beauty of tragedy.