What is unity of Action? Or unity of action in tragedy.
By unity of action, the significance is that it should have an organic quality. It should be a complete whole. Aristotle has compared the plot of a tragedy to a living organism. As all the parts are necessary in a living organism. likewise for plot unity of action in a must. It should have a beginning, a middle and an end. There should be nothing unnecessary.
Digressions and episodes may be introduced; but then, they should be integral to the plot. It is the unity of action which makes the plot intelligible, coherent and individual. Butcher says. The unity of the tragic action is an organic unity, an inward principle which reveals itself in the form of an inward whole.
Unity of action is not formal and mechanical as Aristotle believed. It is an inward principle and not a mere imposition from without Unity of action does not consist in the unity of the hero: Unity of action cannot arise merely because all the different incidents happen to a single person. As a matter of fact, artistic unity requires a rigorous process of selection and ordering of material.
Read More-
- Plot construction of 'She Stoops to Conquer'
- English Comedy before Goldsmith
- Sentimental Comedy: Reaction of Goldsmith against it
- Character and role of Miss Neville
- Discuss She Stoops to Conquer as a Sentimental Comedy
- Discuss Goldsmith's View of Sentimental Comedy
- Give an estimate of Goldsmith as a dramatist
- Contribution of Goldsmith as a Dramatist
