There are many definitions for a tragedy given by many well known philosophers. Using Oscar Mandel, Walter Kerr, Northrop Frye, and Aristotle, the definition of tragedy can be formed and applied to the play Medea. These four philosopher's definitions of a tragedy will help to determine whether or not Medea is a tragic hero. Each philosopher has their own idea of what a tragedy can be defined as, which is important in relating the definitions to Medea.
             The first philosopher, Oscar Mandel, gives an interesting look at how a tragedy can be defined. Mandel said "a protagonist who commands our earnest good will is impelled in a given world by a purpose...of a certain seriousness or magnitude...and inevitably meets with grave or physical suffering." So, when this definition is broken down, it can implied that there needs to be a protagonist , or tragic hero, in this case Medea, that is thrown into a given situation of "magnitude" and in the end meets with their own physical suffering. Now, this quote relates to Medea because it goes along the exact same storyline of Medea. Medea, being the tragic hero, is thrown into this horrible situation. In the play, Medea's husband, Jason, leaves her for another woman, leaving Medea heartbroken. As the play comes to an end, it is obviously seen that Medea meets with "grave or physical suffering" when her family is completely destroyed, she has no other country to return home, and she is left with nothing. Now when related back to the quote, it is clear to say that Medea is the protagonist, or tragic hero, thrown into an action of high "magnitude" causing her "physical suffering." From what can be observed from the first philosopher, Medea is clearly the tragic hero of the play.
             The second philosopher that has a definition for tragedy is Walter Kerr. Kerr stated that "Tragedy seems to me to be an investigation of the possibiliti...