Why do people like tragedies?

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  1. Origin profile image61
    Originposted 13 years ago

    Why do people like tragedies in movies, books, etc? I usually prefer happy movies with happy endings, perhaps I'm just a sucker for happiness or something. But really, why do people like unhappy endings where people die, or loss of love, etc?

    1. profile image0
      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i usually could care less if the movie has a happy or sad ending, as long as the story is good.  that's all i care about.  having said that though, most movies that have happy endings are typically cliched ridden and predictable to boot. where as tragedies, most of them can be set up in such a way that you can't see what's coming.  which is always good if your a viewer

      1. Origin profile image61
        Originposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        True true, I usually do prefer a good plot over if it's a happy or sad ending, but I guess in the end it's just personal preference.

  2. DevLin profile image61
    DevLinposted 13 years ago

    Art imitating life. Reality for a change.

    1. Shadesbreath profile image78
      Shadesbreathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yep.  The appeal of the tragedy is that we all have some flaw that could be a "fatal flaw," so, at least those of us willing to look at them long enough, sometimes enjoy knowing that at least it's not "just us" that suck as humans go.

      And maybe even we could be worse off.

  3. Misha profile image62
    Mishaposted 13 years ago

    I don't have an answer, I am thinking about it myself smile

  4. TheGlassSpider profile image64
    TheGlassSpiderposted 13 years ago

    Good old-fashioned catharsis.

    Plus, other people's problems, even if they are fictional, can take our minds off of our own problems if only for a short while.

  5. Shadesbreath profile image78
    Shadesbreathposted 13 years ago

    Hey, on this topic, so what's your favorite tragedy?

    Mine would have to be Shakespeare's Richard the II

  6. Origin profile image61
    Originposted 13 years ago

    Tristan and Isolde is pretty good.

    I guess in a fashion, the big reason why I prefer happy endings to tragedies, is because happy endings gives me positive reinforcement, if that makes sense. While tragedies just remind me that everything has an end, even life.

    1. Shadesbreath profile image78
      Shadesbreathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It's not "happy" to think about, but you have to admit that being so aware, in an active way, is more likely to produce moral behavior.  It's really hard to feel good about a selfish undertaking when faced with the reality of human fraility and the damage it does. 

      A truly brilliant tragedy can teach lessons without religion because they reveal universal human truths, not bogged down by dogma or doctrine.

      1. Origin profile image61
        Originposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        With that in mind.. I've noticed that some romance movies out there have some form of tragedy in it, even if the movie has a happy ending. I guess it grounds the people a bit, and gives them that emotional roller coaster.

  7. Origin profile image61
    Originposted 13 years ago

    Here's the trailer for Tristan and Isolde.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HTYyB3Sc9w

    Another one that comes to mind which is really good, especially the cinematography is.. House of Flying Daggers.. trailer.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaOO2oork7A

  8. mrpopo profile image72
    mrpopoposted 13 years ago

    What I noticed in Disney movies is that most of them start off with a tragedy and then end off on a happy note. Maybe toying with your subconscious? Who knows.

  9. optimus grimlock profile image60
    optimus grimlockposted 13 years ago

    to see how people will rise from the bad in their lives. Also for encouragment, that people can overcome the worst situations. Or they want to laugh at other people hardships!

 
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