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tragedy (n.)

late 14c., tragedie, "grave or dignified literary work with a calamitous or sorrowful ending," from Old French tragedie (14c.), from Latin tragedia "a tragedy," from Greek tragodia "a dramatic poem or play in formal language and having an unhappy resolution," apparently literally "goat song," from tragos "goat, buck" (according to Beekes, etymologically "gnawer, eater," agent noun from tragein "to gnaw, browse; to eat," which he finds to be probably Pre-Greek) + ōidē "song" (see ode). The compound is probably on model of rhapsodos (Beekes; see rhapsody).

The connection with goats may be via satyric drama, from which tragedy later developed, in which actors or singers were dressed in goatskins to represent satyrs. But many other theories have been made (including "singer who competes for a goat as a prize"), and even the "goat" connection is at times questioned.

Tragedye is to seyn a dite of a prosperite for a tyme that endeth in wrecchidnesse. [Chaucer, translation of Boethius, "De Consolatione Philosophiae"]

Originally in English in reference to ancient dramatic pieces or modern poems and tales; in reference to contemporary stage plays by 1530s. As a branch of the dramatic arts, with its own style, from early 15c. The extended meaning "fatal event, calamity, disaster" is from c. 1500.

also from late 14c.
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Trends of tragedy

updated on June 13, 2024

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