catharsis

being mean

being positive

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venting

is the sluicing away of unsocial and destructive emotions accumulated in us under the pressure of social restraints in the harmless form of theatrical excitement

But above all, the function of art is catharsis, purification: emotions accumulated in us under the pressure of social restraints, and liable to sudden issues in unsocial and destructive action, are touched off and sluiced away in the harmless form of theatrical excitement; so tragedy, "through pity and fear, effects the proper purgation of these emotions." * Aristotle misses certain features of tragedy (e. g., the conflict of principles and personalities) ; but in this theory of catharsis he has made a suggestion endlessly fertile in the understanding of the almost mystic power of art. It is an illuminating instance of his ability to enter every field of speculation, and to adorn whatever he touches.

catharsis, n.Definitions

catharsis