Internal conflicts

Definition

Internal conflicts refer to the psychological struggles within a character, often involving opposing desires, emotions, or values. These conflicts create tension and complexity in characters, revealing their vulnerabilities and moral dilemmas, which are essential elements in the evolution of tragic themes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Euripides often portrayed characters with profound internal conflicts, leading to their tragic fates and highlighting their humanity.
2. In works like 'Medea,' internal conflicts drive characters to extreme actions, showcasing the impact of emotional turmoil on decision-making.
3. Euripides' focus on psychological depth marked a shift from earlier tragedies that emphasized external conflicts and fate.
4. The evolution of tragic themes is deeply tied to how internal conflicts illustrate the complexities of human nature and moral ambiguity.
5. Internal conflicts not only create drama but also engage the audience in empathizing with the characters’ struggles, enhancing the overall tragic experience.

Review Questions

• How do internal conflicts contribute to the complexity of characters in Euripides' works?
  • Internal conflicts play a crucial role in adding depth to characters in Euripides' works. They reveal the psychological struggles that characters face, making their motivations more relatable and human. For instance, Medea's conflict between love for her children and desire for revenge creates a multifaceted character who elicits both sympathy and horror from the audience.
• Discuss the significance of internal conflicts in the development of tragic themes in Euripides' plays.
  • Internal conflicts are significant in developing tragic themes as they highlight the moral dilemmas and emotional struggles faced by characters. Euripides uses these conflicts to explore complex themes such as betrayal, vengeance, and the consequences of passion. This focus on psychological realism allows audiences to engage more deeply with the characters' journeys, ultimately enhancing the tragedy's impact.
• Evaluate how Euripides’ portrayal of internal conflicts differs from that of his contemporaries and its implications for tragedy as a genre.
  • Euripides' portrayal of internal conflicts differs from that of his contemporaries by emphasizing psychological depth over external fate and heroism. While earlier playwrights like Aeschylus focused on noble characters facing external challenges, Euripides presents flawed characters grappling with their inner turmoil. This shift not only redefined the genre by introducing complex human emotions but also paved the way for modern psychological drama, influencing future playwrights to delve into character psychology.

Related terms

Tragic Flaw: A character trait that leads to the downfall of the protagonist, often stemming from internal conflicts.

Catharsis:

The emotional release experienced by the audience as they witness the struggles of the characters in a tragedy, particularly through their internal conflicts.

Dilemma: A situation in which a character faces a difficult choice between two or more conflicting desires or values, often resulting from internal conflicts.