What Is Tragedy?

In real life, of course a tragedy is any terrible event. In drama, especially classical drama, it's much more specific.
The dramatic definition of tragedy comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. According to this definition, tragedy involves a man in a high position, such as a king, with great qualities, whose downfall is caused by his own errors (a "tragic flaw" in his own character.) Others are also brought down with him; tragedy is not private. The audience should be moved, not to tears, but to "catharsis", a Greek word meaning, literally "purging"; filled with pity and terror, and drained of less noble emotions. In other words, watching tragedy should make you, at least temporarily, a better person.
One example of classical tragedy is Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex". Oedipus becomes King of Thebes through his own intelligence, but eventually destroys himself, his family and his kingdom by his own actions; unwittingly murdering his father and committing incest with his mother.

A story or play showing the struggles and unfortunate events( even death) of the main character or hero of the story.