-
483 BCE
The Death of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
The passing of Buddha, marking a tragic loss for his followers but also emphasizing the Buddhist teachings on impermanence.
Discipline: Religion -
429 BCE
Oedipus Rex
A Greek tragedy that tells the story of Oedipus, a king who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, leading to his downfall.
Discipline: Literature -
80 BCE
The Colosseum in Rome
An iconic Roman architectural marvel that hosted gladiatorial contests, often ending in tragedy and death.
Discipline: Architecture -
30 BCE
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
A pivotal event in Christianity symbolizing ultimate sacrifice and suffering.
Discipline: Religion -
Period: Dec 2, 1542 to
Mary, Queen of Scots
The tragic life of Mary, who was executed by her cousin, Elizabeth I of England, after being implicated in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth.
Discipline: History -
Period: to
Baroque Music
A period of Western classical music characterized by its ornate style and expressive melodies. Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel composed works that often explored themes of human suffering and redemption, reflecting the dramatic and tragic aspects of life.
Discipline: Music -
The Sorrows of Young Werther" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A novel that tells the tragic story of a young man's unrequited love and subsequent suicide, which had a profound impact on the Romantic movement.
Discipline: Literature -
"Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant
Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" explores the limits of human knowledge, arguing that we can understand appearances but not the true nature of things. This highlights the tragic human condition: our pursuit of truth is limited by our cognitive abilities, leaving ultimate reality beyond our grasp.
Discipline: Philosophy -
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch
An iconic expressionist painting depicting a figure with an agonized expression against a turbulent sky. The work conveys intense emotional suffering and existential angst, symbolizing the universal human experience of fear and despair, making it a powerful representation of tragedy.
Discipline: Visual Arts -
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A novel exploring the tragic flaws of Jay Gatsby and the American Dream.
Discipline: Literature -
"Metropolis" directed by Fritz Lang
A silent film that portrays a dystopian future and the tragic class struggle between workers and the elite.
Discipline: Film -
Cross Road Blues
A seminal blues song by Robert Johnson, often associated with the legend of Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for musical talent. The song reflects themes of despair, longing, and existential struggle, embodying the tragic essence of the blues genre.
Discipline: Music -
Period: to
World War II
A global conflict that involved most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers. The war resulted in an unprecedented scale of tragedy, including the Holocaust, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and immense loss of life and destruction.
Discipline: History -
"A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams
A 20th-century American play that portrays the tragic decline of Blanche DuBois.
Discipline: Theater -
The World Trade Center (Twin Towers)
Designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, the Twin Towers' destruction on September 11, 2001, became a symbol of tragedy and loss.
Discipline: Architecture