# Usage of the words 'catharsis' and 'cathartic' **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574 "2016-06-17T01:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/1 "2016-06-17T01:34:17Z")
Hi, When using the words ‘catharsis’ and ‘cathartic’, can they be used when expressing an emotional release/“purgation of emotions” when reading Greek myths as opposed to the tragedies based on the myths. My feeling is that it is quite appropriate to use the terms outside of the Aristotelian definition (Aristotle’s definition seems to be confined to plays/tragedies only) I look forward to your feedback. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/2 "2016-06-17T02:08:21Z")
Regardless of its original usage, “cathartic” is a very generic word nowadays. You don’t hear it too frequently, it’s not a very common word. However, when you do hear it, it’s almost always in a phrase such as “the ending of that film was cathartic” or “revenge is cathartic”. You hear “catharsis” less often, and it’s usually just a rephrasing of areas you’d usually use “cathartic” (e.g. “revenge results in catharsis”) as opposed to an attempt to use “catharsis” on its own as a concept. The only place you really hear “catharsis” used as a concept is in amateur (and maybe professional) literary/film/game analysis circles. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/3 "2016-06-17T04:59:42Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Regardless of its original usage, “cathartic” is a very generic word nowadays. You don’t hear it too frequently, it’s not a very common word. However, when you do hear it, it’s almost always in a phrase such as “the ending of that film was cathartic” or “revenge is cathartic”. You hear “catharsis” less often, and it’s usually just a rephrasing of areas you’d usually use “cathartic” (e.g. “revenge results in catharsis”) as opposed to an attempt to use “catharsis” on its own as a concept. The only place you really hear “catharsis” used as a concept is in amateur (and maybe professional) literary/film/game analysis circles. Thanks Jragon. I actually use the word myself if I feel relief at an outcome. But I would like to use it in response to a narrative ( not a play) , be it Medea killing her children to spite Jason or Heracles killing his wife and children. Readers can also experience catharsis; revulsion at the deeds of a character in a narrative. But I don’t see the word used with respect to narratives. I’m pretty sure I can use “catharsis” with respect to a reader’s response to a tragic narrative and even to the response of characters within a narrative (not just a play). I was simply looking for confirmation on this point. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/4 "2016-06-17T05:29:47Z")
You might have some fun following (down the rabbit hole) Bertolt Brecht’s thoughts on theater; he rejected (or “suspected”) “cathartic theater,” and wrote in a style he called “didactic theater.” To oversimplify terribly, the former makes you feel better, and the latter makes you feel agitated. (I’ve delved much more deeply into Brecht than can possibly be wise.) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/5 "2016-06-17T05:38:01Z")
**davidmich** , I’m not sure I quite understand what you’re asking. As **Jragon** says, if you use _cathartic_ in ordinary speech or writing, it refers to an intense emotional outpouring, a restorative release of repressed emotions. It could be triggered by anything - in modern usage, there is no implied association with any dramatic or literary form. You certainly can use it to describe such a response to a book, play, whatever. But I think it signifies something much stronger than just relief at a dramatic outcome. And, to be clear, it’s something experienced by the reader/listener, not something portrayed in the drama. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/6 "2016-06-17T05:41:21Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > **davidmich** , I’m not sure I quite understand what you’re asking. As **Jragon** says, if you use _cathartic_ in ordinary speech or writing, it refers to an intense emotional outpouring, a restorative release of repressed emotions. It could be triggered by anything - in modern usage, there is no implied association with any dramatic or literary form. You certainly can use it to describe such a response to a book, play, whatever. But I think it signifies something much stronger than just relief at a dramatic outcome. Thanks Riemann. You answered my question. Thank you all. ---
**Author:** ![davidmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/7 "2016-06-17T05:54:56Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > You might have some fun following (down the rabbit hole) Bertolt Brecht’s thoughts on theater; he rejected (or “suspected”) “cathartic theater,” and wrote in a style he called “didactic theater.” > > To oversimplify terribly, the former makes you feel better, and the latter makes you feel agitated. > > (I’ve delved much more deeply into Brecht than can possibly be wise.) Thanks Trinopus. Are you referring to the V-Effekt (Verfremdungseffekt)? I’m going to follow on that. Thanks for that post Trinopus. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-of-the-words-catharsis-and-cathartic/757574/8 "2016-06-17T08:00:39Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > You might have some fun following (down the rabbit hole) Bertolt Brecht’s thoughts on theater; he rejected (or “suspected”) “cathartic theater,” and wrote in a style he called “didactic theater.” > > To oversimplify terribly, the former makes you feel better, and the latter makes you feel agitated. > > (I’ve delved much more deeply into Brecht than can possibly be wise.) I certainly wouldn’t say catharsis ‘makes you feel better’. The purging of emotions can be a violent process and leave one extremely shaken. Some women watching the tragedies of Aeschylus were so overcome that if pregnant they spontaneously aborted. > [@](#): > > Another Aeschylus appears! Prepare > For new abortions all ye pregnant fair!