“The Riddle of Sphinx” and Ethical Paradox of the Characters in Western Tragedies

Foreign Literature Studies ›› 2018, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (2): 75-84.

• Ethical Literary Criticism • Previous Articles Next Articles

“The Riddle of Sphinx” and Ethical Paradox of the Characters in Western Tragedies

Zhang Lianqiao

Online:2018-04-25 Published:2022-05-24
About author:Zhang Lianqiao is associate professor at School of Chinese Language and Literature in Jiangsu Normal University (Xuzhou 221116, China). His major research fields are Ethical Literary Criticism and European and American Literature. Email: lianqiaozhang@qq.com
Supported by:
“A Study of Edward Albee's Dramatic Poetics,” Supported by Social Science Fund of Zhejiang Province (15NDJC072YB)

Abstract

Abstract: From ancient Greek tragedies to modern tragedies, there is a recurrence of the plot that characters slide into ethical paradox due to identity confusion. According to Ethical Literary Criticism, ethical paradox is the result of ethical choice and the solution of ethical paradox depends on the solution of ethical knots in western tragedies. In the process of characters' choice, ethical paradox is solved eventually. The article holds that the problem of paradox is not just an outcome of identity confusion of characters in western tragedies. In fact, the paradox of the emotion, action, space-time, language and many elements of a drama could lead to paradox. The study on paradox problems of western tragedies can provide new perspectives for the research on western tragedies.

Key words: Ethical Literary Criticism, western tragedies, ethical paradox, ethical knots, ethical choice

Zhang Lianqiao. “The Riddle of Sphinx” and Ethical Paradox of the Characters in Western Tragedies[J]. Foreign Literature Studies, 2018, 40(2): 75-84.

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“The Riddle of Sphinx” and Ethical Paradox of the Characters in Western Tragedies

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