This thesis evaluates tragic characters from three representative tragedies, Macbeth, Antigone, and Death of a Salesman, in terms of Lawrence Kohlberg's six stage theory of moral development. A tragic character's moral judgment is described as being founded on universal values and principles which determine stage placement. The tragic situation is precipitated by conflict experienced by a character between his present stage form of evaluation and the more preferred, differentiated and integrated form of the next higher stage. Since Kohlberg's theory is cognitive-developmental with the moral principle of justice emerging autonomously at the stage six level, its application aids in supporting a view of tragedy based on a moral order having justice as its highest principle and on a continuity independent of historical and cultural influence.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc504581 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | McGraw, Martha Gail |
| Contributors | Kobler, J. F. (Jasper Fred), 1928-, Mitchell, Giles R., Stevens, L. Robert |
| Publisher | North Texas State University |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | vii, 119 leaves, Text |
| Rights | Public, McGraw, Martha Gail, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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