What is catharsis? What are the different theories of catharsis?
Catharsis
Catharsis is a word of Greek origin. In the Greek language, it has three meanings-purgation, purification, and clarification. Aristotle's concept of catharsis is the concept of the effect that tragedy produces on the readers or spectators. It pertains to any kind of emotional discharge which causes moral or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety. An audience comes to see a play developing make-belief actions that are harmful if they occur in real life. The audience after having participated emotionally in the dramatic action goes away psychologically cleansed purged-of bad feelings and sensations.
three theories of catharsis
There are three theories of catharsis-
(i) Purgation theory:
In the medical term "purgation" means the partial removal of excess "humours." In tragedy, it means to reduce the emotions of pity and fear to a healthy, balanced proportion.
(ii) Purification theory:
The purification theory is a process of moral conditioning. A catharsis is an act of purification of our excess emotions and bringing our emotion level to an intermediate level, and so we are taught to do the right task at the right moment.
(iii) Clarification theory:
According to this theory, catharsis means clarification of the essential and universal significance of the events and situations depicted in a tragedy. Hence catharsis means pleasure. Tragic events are pitiable and fearful, but they produce pleasure in the spectator.