Anagnorisis
Anagnorisis is a literary term that describes a moment of critical realization or discovery, derived from the Greek word meaning "recognition." This concept typically occurs when a protagonist gains insight into their own identity, the identity of another character, or a significant truth about their circumstances. Anagnorisis is a vital component in many classical Greek tragedies and continues to be relevant in modern literature, films, and dramas, often revealing secrets or solving mysteries. It is frequently paired with peripeteia, the unexpected reversal of fortune, leading to significant changes in the character's trajectory, often resulting in tragic outcomes. While anagnorisis can yield various consequences, it is most commonly associated with negative or tragic shifts in the narrative. The technique has been widely employed by renowned authors and filmmakers, serving as a pivotal moment that enhances the emotional depth of the story. Examples include Oedipus from Sophocles' play, where he discovers the tragic truth of his identity, and Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode V," who learns of his lineage. Anagnorisis remains an essential device for exploring complex character arcs and themes of identity and fate.
Subject Terms
Anagnorisis
Anagnorisis is used in literature to describe a moment of realization or discovery. In Greek, the term anagnorisis means "recognition." It denotes the point when the protagonist, or main character, has a recognition about something. This can be realizing his or her true identity, the identity of another character, or a fact about a situation. It is an important literary technique used in many early Greek tragedies, literature, and dramas. In modern times, it is used in novels, films, and more to reveal a mystery or unleash a secret.
Anagnorisis often is paired with peripeteia, which is the unexpected reversal, or shift, of circumstances or a situation. Anagnorisis can lead to either beneficial or tragic results and change the direction of the work. However, anagnorisis mostly leads to tragic results. In a work, the moment of anagnorisis typically occurs within a single line of text. This line of tragic recognition is when the character admits the realization.
Anagnorisis is similar to the literary term epiphany. Epiphany is from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means "an appearance or manifestation." It is used in literature to describe the sudden realization of a truth or fact that gives the character a new perspective on something related to the fact. Anagnorisis is a type of epiphany, but anagnorisis differs from epiphany because anagnorisis typically is used in the plot of a tragedy. In addition, anagnorisis is new information that reinterprets or changes the story. The appearance of anagnorisis signals an extreme change in circumstances (typically negative or tragic) for the character who has experienced it.
Origins
The Greek writer and philosopher Aristotle first named anagnorisis and peripeteia in the fourth century B.C.E. He explored the foundation of poetry, which included drama, comedy, tragedy, and epic poetry, in his extensive work Poetics. Poetics was rediscovered during the Middle Ages when an Arabic copy was translated into Latin. It offers many of the literary terms related to plot and structure that continue to be studied into the twenty-first century.
In Poetics, Aristotle extensively discusses tragedy. A tragedy is a type of play in which the protagonist experiences a downfall or a series of misfortunes throughout the mythos, or plot, of the work. The character goes from a high to a low. The low is caused by hamartia, or error, typically by the protagonist. Tragedy uses pity and fear to evoke a reaction.
Aristotle divided tragedy into five acts. The first act introduces the protagonist and shows him or her in a positive state or a position of power or fame. The problem is introduced in the second act and reaches the breaking point by the third act. During the fourth act, the protagonist fails to avoid disaster caused by the problem. The fifth and final act depicts the consequences of the problem and introduces catharsis. Catharsis is the releasing of emotions.
Anagnorisis and peripeteia together enhance the plot. The two often occur simultaneously, as the character makes the realization, which then sparks the reversal of fortune. This sends the character spiraling into tragic demise.
Uses and Examples of Anagnorisis in Works
The most commonly used example of anagnorisis comes from the Greek playwright Sophocles in his work Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex). The tragic play depicts the unravelling of Oedipus's true identity and the tragic results that brought misfortune on Thebes. The story begins with Oedipus, the powerful king of Thebes who is happily married to Jocasta and has four children. He thinks a message about his parents is good news; however, the news leads to his downfall. The anagnorisis occurs when Oedipus realizes that he has unknowingly killed his father and subsequently married his mother, with whom he fathered his own half siblings. This revelation is immediately followed by peripeteia, when Oedipus is hurled from his celebrated position; reviled and shamed for his actions; and blinded and condemned to a future of suffering.
Although anagnorisis has its roots in ancient Greek literature, many poets and authors such as William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and Edgar Allan Poe have used it throughout the centuries. It also has been used in films in the twentieth century. An example of a film that uses this literary device is Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) when protagonist Luke Skywalker discovers that he is villain Darth Vader's son. This realization causes Luke to discover his real identity.
Another example is The Sixth Sense, a 1999 horror-suspense film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The anagnorisis occurs when Dr. Malcolm Crowe (played by Bruce Willis), a child psychologist, discovers that he is dead. Crowe realizes that his patient (played by Haley Joel Osment), a child with the ability to see dead people, is the only one who can see or hear him. Crowe's realization changes the story.
Bibliography
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"Literary Terms and Definitions." Dr. Wheeler's Website. Carson-Newman University. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit‗terms‗A.html
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Rankin, Alan. "What Is Anagnorisis?" WiseGeek. Conjecture Corporation. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-anagnorisis.htm