• Why was Aristotle interested in Drama? How is comedy different from Tragedy and Melodrama?
    • Because Aristotle considered drama possesses some values. Drama evokes pleasure and emotions. During early Greek, drama is like an interdisciplinary field that is derived from philosophy, religion, civics, and art, so its representation is universal. Drama can insinuates reality, and tells stories from actual event but with artistic interpretation. Drama and theater are “tools for thought and discourse in the Polis” (Laurel).  Unlike tragedy, comedy is meant to make people laugh. It is the imitation of “the ridiculous” without bring serious harm. From my understanding of the reading, the catharsis of comedy is more direct from an action and stays in that moment for a short time while the emotion evoked by tragedy comes with the development of the story and reached the climax as the play comes to an end.
    • The great tragedies were based on stories that most of the audience were familiar with and adapted with times. The Greek comedies were more about current issues in society and politics.
    • Laurel does not touch too much on melodrama. I think melodrama is more like arousing emotions but not to make people serious thoughts. It’s more like an entertainment.

 

  • How did Aristotle define the element of language in drama and what are its shortcomings when applied to human-computer interaction? How would you define language?
    • Aristotle defined language in drama as “the expression of their [the characters’] though in words”(Poetics 1450b, 12-15). The shortcomings are that language in drama is mostly words, which is spoken language, however in there are more than words in human-computer interaction. The representation of computer programs are usually heavily based on visual elements. I think language can be defined as a communication tool that has a set of rules that a group of people who use/invent the language agree upon. It can be verbal language, sign language, artistic style, or they way a group of people do things, etc,. It’s just they have different rules. There are languages that are universal like emotions and some gestures. The goal of language is always communication, which is why we need to understand people’s need so we know which language we use.