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The tragic narrative, like a lot of things, was fatally poisoned by World War 2. Amidst the countless tragic stories there, the most classically ‘tragic’ figure
by Gatsky 4y ago
The tragic narrative, like a lot of things, was fatally poisoned by World War 2. Amidst the countless tragic stories there, the most classically ‘tragic’ figure was Hitler.
- Cupertino95014 4y agoHitler was certainly undone by his flaws. I'm not sure most dramaturges would say he was a tragic figure, though. More of a pure evil one. There was never anything hopeful about him.
- Nomentatus 4y agoReading biographies of him and his table talk, Hitler's a very bent character but not without small virtues and a (very bent) love of virtue. Vegetarian, non-smoker, brave and unselfish in war and crazy for the arts (without especially good taste.) His life course could have gone differently but his profound lack of empathy didn't make a good outcome likely. He was a detail-man, and arguably on the spectrum. Had he set his sights on being an engineer, like my rather vicious but not unuseful father; he'd probably have been a very ordinary engineer who's kids kinda hated him rather than a paragon of evil. There are a lot of taxpayers around with similar potential - for mediority or viciousness. Plus, he was the expression of much German opinion that wanted revenge for WWI, not a one-off.
- Nomentatus 4y agoWWII, consistent with what you're saying, I think, also gave rise to noir fiction and movies, in which it's all flaws all the time.
- Gatsky 4y agoThe modern tragic figures cited in the article are in this vein, few if any redeeming qualities. You know, the world has been quiet and pleasant for so long that people are happy to watch horrors on TV. I doubt Game of Thrones would have been very popular in 1949.