Paraphrase this line by line:
I don't understand this..
In tragedy, man is a paradox in a paradoxical existence. Fallible and vulnerable in his mortal finity, he is yet capable of transcendent greatness. Freely exercising his will (a passive hero is pathetic rather than tragic), he is yet the plaything of destiny. Acting on his virtue, he incurs guilt. Divided within by impulses and imperatives in conflict and beset without by other willful selves and by his physical environment, he pits his naked strength against forces that inhibit him and enrage him and that he can neither control nor understand. Flawed by his human nature, he is incapable of compromise. He demands that an imperfect world conform to his notions of right and good, and he is defeated because discord, injustice, pain, and moral evil are the world’s warp and woof. The final paradox is man in his tragic vision saying, “I do not believe in the invincibility of evil but in the inevitability of defeat.” … But, in the absoluteness of his commitment, the tragic hero triumphs in the very inevitability of his defeat. Foolishly, pitifully, magnificently pressing his human potential beyond its limits, he asserts man’s significance and dignity in the face of the unanswering unknown; tragic man matters. [Otto Reinert, ed., Classic Through Modern Drama: An Introductory Anthology]
Man in tragedy exists in a contradictory way. Despite being fallible and vulnerable, he is capable of achieving greatness. Although he freely makes choices, he is also influenced by fate. By acting virtuously, he may feel guilty. Internally conflicted and facing external obstacles, he confronts forces he cannot control or understand. Flawed by his humanity, he refuses to compromise and expects the imperfect world to conform to his ideals. Inevitably, he is defeated by the discord, injustice, pain, and evil that are inherent in the world. Yet, his tragic vision asserts that evil is not invincible, but defeat is. Paradoxically, the tragic hero triumphs through his unwavering commitment and by pushing the boundaries of his potential. Despite foolishness and pity, he magnificently asserts the significance and dignity of mankind in the face of the unknown. Tragic man matters.
I do not comprehend this.
In tragedy, mankind exists paradoxically as both fallible and vulnerable in their mortal finitness, yet capable of achieving great transcendence. While freely exerting their will (a passive hero is pitiable rather than tragic), humans are also subject to the whims of fate. When they act virtuously, they incur guilt. They are internally conflicted by conflicting impulses and societal pressures, and externally influenced by others and their physical surroundings. They bravely confront forces that hinder and anger them, but which they cannot control or comprehend. Due to their flawed human nature, they are unable to compromise. They insist that an imperfect world conform to their ideas of what is right and good, only to be defeated by the world's inherent discord, injustice, pain, and moral evil. The ultimate paradox lies in the tragic hero's acknowledgement that evil may not be invincible, but defeat is inevitable. Yet, in their unwavering commitment, the tragic hero triumphs precisely because of the inevitability of their defeat. Foolishly, pathetically, and magnificently surpassing their human potential, they assert the significance and dignity of humanity in the face of the unknowable, proving that tragic individuals do matter.
Each line of the original passage can be paraphrased as follows:
- In tragedy, humanity is a contradiction in a contradictory existence.
- Despite being imperfect and vulnerable due to their finite mortality, humans have the capacity for extraordinary greatness.
- It is important for individuals to actively exercise their will rather than passively accepting their fate, as a passive hero is pitiable rather than tragic.
- However, humans are inevitably influenced by forces beyond their control and understanding, making them subject to destiny.
- By acting virtuously, individuals may unintentionally cause guilt.
- Internally, humans are torn between conflicting impulses and external pressures, be they other people or the physical environment.
- They, in turn, strive against these forces that both hinder and enrage them, but cannot be controlled or comprehended.
- Due to their inherent flaws, humans are incapable of compromise and insist on an imperfect world conforming to their concept of what is right and just.
- Consequently, they are always defeated because disharmony, injustice, suffering, and moral evil are woven into the very fabric of the world.
- The ultimate paradox lies in the tragic individual's acknowledgement that they do not believe evil is invincible, but they do believe defeat is inevitable.
- Yet, within the absolute dedication to their cause, the tragic hero finds triumph in the very certainty of their defeat.
- Though it may seem foolish or pitiful, by pushing their human potential to its limits, they assert the significance and dignity of humanity in the face of the unknowable and unresponsive.
- Tragic individuals matter.
[Paraphrased based on the original passage by Otto Reinert]