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Worksheet Description

This catharsis worksheet invites participants to explore the emotional release found in everyday experiences outside of dramatic works. The term “catharsis,” rooted in Greek language, traditionally refers to the intense release of emotions that leads to renewal or relief from stress and is often linked with the audience’s response to tragedy as outlined by Aristotle. Modern interpretations, however, recognize that cathartic experiences are not confined to literature and the arts but can occur in daily life through various forms such as sports, music, and the consumption of news.

Students are encouraged to consider these common platforms and articulate how they can incite a cathartic response. For instance, the victory or defeat in a sports game can trigger profound emotional relief or renewal in fans, akin to the resolution of a tragic drama. Music, with its power to evoke and manipulate emotions, offers a personal catharsis through melodies and lyrics. The immediacy of news, particularly when it delivers resolution to a long-standing issue or event, can also provide a collective sense of catharsis. By examining these scenarios, students apply the ancient concept of catharsis to the modern world, reflecting on how emotional purgation is an integral part of human experience across various aspects of culture.