There is no Tragedy that was never a Comedy.
Good evening, the voice sounds from behind you. I hope Comedy hasn't sent you to try and cheer me up, the Lupe continues, stepping around you in a deliberate motion and turning to face you while settling down into a sitting position. She means well, to be sure, but sometimes I'm not sure she understands she shouldn't put people to the trouble. I do try to keep track of her, but sometime I get a bit... preoccupied. The Lupe's face is concealed behind a bony mask, the holes for the eyes drooping and the mouth turning down in a theatrical frown. Tear drops are etched symetrically on either side of the false face, giving the impression of mourning.
You'd think it would be easier to pay attention to yourself, but I do try to avoid meddling too much. She pauses, her features hidden behind those of the mask. But I suppose I ought to start with introductions. I'm Tragedy, if the mask hasn't already given it away. Comedy's listening in at the moment, and says she didn't do it this time. If that's the case, thank you for dropping in. If it isn't, I appologize that she roped you into this.
Perhaps it's best to explain before you get the wrong idea about the two of us. We're not the irreconcilable opposites you might expect. Tragedy and Comedy go hand in hand. They each serve different purposes, of course, but they're not exactly opposites.
A tragedy doesn't have to have an unhappy ending. They generally do, but that's because a tragedy is a serious look on life, meant to make you think. They show the dangers of hubris, the self-destructive pride that has led to the downfall of countless great warriors, leaders, and heroes. Their aim is catharsis, a cleansing of emotions by experiencing them. They show the crumbling of nobility, bravery, and wisdom in face of fate and choice. Sometimes they show redemption, but sometimes it is simply left to the audience to learn the lesson taught.
Comedy, similarly, does not always end happily. It concerns itself with the everyday man, and teaches by making light of things. Its lesson is to the foolish, not the proud, and the actors subject themselves to chance and fortune rather than choice and unyielding consequence. They are laughed at, sometimes for their good luck and sometimes for their pain. If Tragedy strives for wisdom, Comedy aims for cleverness.
Well, I believe Comedy's getting a little bored, though she won't admit it. If you care to stick around and say hi, please do.
Hide Your Sorrow
I would be remiss if I didn't provide support for other tragic individuals like myself. If you're the sort who sees the big picture, takes solace in art, or just likes peace and quiet, feel free to take a mask. Just make sure to send people back here. If you'd like a personal touch to it, let me know, and I'll see if I can manage it.
Nothing more of
What once was here
For nothing's come
For what was dear
We've reached the end
Of all our hope
As we've reached
The entire scope
Finally saw
What lies ahead
Finally turned
Around instead
Behind us lay
What used to be
What was behind
Was what was me
Sitting sadly
In tracks I left
Only sitting
All but bereft
Reflections
Notes:
Tragedy: Strong sense of irony, more normal of the two, calm, somewhat sad, logical, quiet, defers to Comedy normally, likes thoughtful poetry, more resigned, better at maintaining feeling, humble, cautious, deals with errors of Comedy's (heh...), smart/wise, fatalistic, likes conversation, hates pride and dishonesty, considers words carefully.
Associated With: Fate, gloom, poems, dirges, heroes and royalty, gradual shift
Tragic Figures
Animosity, lunacy, and nobility
Strangers I have heard tales of
All Friends Say Goodbye
Music credit:
ReMixer: Neil Benjamin
Composer(s): Kimmo Kajasto, Kärtsy Hatakka
Publisher: Gathering of Developers, 2001
Song: Max Payne Theme
From ocremix.org
Content credit:
Images by a friend, used with permission
Background and writing by me.
