Ideas and Forms of Tragedy from Aristotle to the Middle Ages

Exploring the evolution of the concept of tragedy, H. A. Kelly examines its diverse interpretations from Aristotle to the medieval period, revealing how figures like Averroes and Albert the Great viewed tragedy in contrasting lights. The book highlights the significance of understanding the intentions of classic writers such as Horace, Ovid, Dante, and Chaucer in their use of tragedy as both a narrative form and a critical lens. Kelly critiques modern analyses for oversimplifying these complex ideas, concluding with an overview of tragic works across England, France, Italy, and Spain.