On Hume's Theory of Tragedy

Abstract

In an essay, “Of Tragedy,” Hume tried to solve the problem of why disagreeable passions caused by tragedy should eventually be converted to pleasure. Some scholars interpret that Hume explained this away by the theory of the conversion of passions, instead of the theory of sympathy. This paper argues that Hume applied his principal doctrine of psychological association and his theory of sympathy in its explanation. He also paid attention to the artistry of drama itself, especially the rhetorical skills and its subject matter, which are important to get the spectators' sympathy in the first place.