The Role and Structure of Greek Tragedy in Philip Roth’s Eli the Fanati

The Role and Structure of classic Tragedy in Philip Roths Eli the monster When 1s in painphysical, mental, or emotional unrivalled always believes it is worse than everyone elses. Yet when an acquaintance bemoans a bad day, one still manages to wave it off it could not be worse than ones own pain. Even if it is a past pain and there are only scars, those scars are tenderer than the friends current sores. Individuals forget that anguish apprise be shared and anothers intervention can diminish it. This theme has been around for millennia and was particularly explored in the works of Greek tragedians. In Eli, the Fanatic Philip Roth employs structural and thematic elements of Greek tragedy to illustrate that human beings can be responsible for each others suffering. One of the essential elements of Greek tragedy, that of the chorus, can be filled in by Ted, Shirley, and even Miriam. They are the residents of Woodenton who call Eli. Traditionally, the chorus plays an active role and can be a sound and advising board for the protagonist. Ted in particular tries to advise Eli and, like the customary chorus, he represents the masses, the people, in this particular case the town of Woodenton. As Ted informs Eli, The Jewish members of the community prescribed me, Artie, and Harry to -2see what could be done (276). The Greek chorus, in Greek tragedy, represents the masses and often serves to counterpoint the protagonist, and Teds near-fanatical grudgeagainst the Yeshiva certainly counterpoints with Elis growing benevolence toward them. In Roths context, the residents of Woodenton, the Chorus, also serve as acounterpoint to Elis guilt. Eli becomes concerned over the Greenies happiness a... ...s Eli who, as he awakens to the laws of Gods, also becomes aware that just as there are laws beyond those he preaches, there is pain beyond his own. Greek tragedies were successful in that they taught viewers how to extend their compassion, and Roth dupl icates this motive. He suggests that if one is willing to accept the laws of God, then one can also help others. It is an idealistic message perhaps, but when one is suffering, one wants to believe that others are concerned, even if they dont physically share the pain. -7Works CitedMcDonald, Marianne. Seamus Heaneys Cure at Troy Politics and Poetry. Classics Ireland. 1996. University College Dublin. 13 Feb. 2006. ssics/classicsinfo/96/McDonald96.html Roth, Philip. Goodbye, Columbus. NY Vintage International, 1959.