Before entering into a detailed discussion of Genesis, we must attempt to define the term tragedy itself. Walter Kaufmann defines tragedy in an almost scientific kind of way. To him, every tragedy must fit into exactly the same mold in precisely the same fashion. He writes:

tragedy is (1) a form of a literature that (2) presents a symbolic action as performed by actors and (3) moves into the center immense human suffering (4) in such a way that it brings to our minds our own forgotten and repressed sorrows as well as those of our kin and humanity (5) rele

The American Heritage Dictionary defines tragedy from various perspectives including both the catastrophic and non catastrophic paradigms of tragedy. American Heritage is more in consonance with Benne than with Kaufmann. Instead of limiting tragedy, the Dictionary expands tragedy to include both literary works and life experiences. Tragedy is defined as:

The first tragedy, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac: Not So Perfect Together, can be viewed as a paradigm for trials and tribulations. In fact, the medieval rabbis have stated that Abraham had to pass ten different tests throughout his lifetime. When act one opens, we find Abraham at the opening of his tent welcoming guests. Shortly thereafter, a famine strikes Canaan and Abraham must flee to Egypt. After remaining in Egypt for some time, the King accuses Athe foreigner@ of inflicting major illness upon the Egyptians and banishes Abraham from the land. After leaving Egypt, God promises much wealth and land to Abraham and his descendants. Yet again, out of despair comes hope.

Each character receives an individualized punishment. The snake is consigned to Aslither on his belly and eat dust the remainder of his days.@ Eve will have trouble Agiving birth and sorrow will follow her.@ God sentences Adam and states: Athe land is cursed for youY With the sweat of your brow you will eat bread .@ All these punishments relate to the necessity to work for one=s necessities. Before the Aoriginal sin@, life was very easy for human and beast alike. Humans and animals must put in the effort only after Athe Fall.@ These punishments are significant, but certainly not catastrophic, cataclysmic or destructive in nature. Cain=s punishment seems to be the most puzzling. He, in fact, murdered his brother in cold blood. One would expect him to be punished with death at the hands of God. However, he is told that Ayou are to be cursed in this landY You shall be a nomad in the land.@ In response, Cain retorts that Athe burden of my sin is too heavy to endure.@ To Cain, banishment is worse than death itself. Death may be painful, but at least it is quick. Cain is subjected to perpetual banishment, a punishment which will constantly remind Cain of his transgressions. Although Adam and Eve are also banished from the way of life in the garden, they are on Aprobation@ while Cain is a Alifer.@

Kaufmann is not alone in his view that tragedy must end badly. A noted biblical scholar has vociferated:

The third play of the trilogy , The Tower of Babel, is, by far, the shortest and the least tragic (in the classic sense) of them all. Viewed from another perspective, this same episode can be viewed as some sort of comedy. While no catastrophic event occurs, much can be gleaned and learned from the story of the tower of Babel. The people of the period decided that they would erect a monument that would reach up to the heavens. Just like with Abel, it might be expected that God would take action and kill the transgressors directly. However, He realizes that much more can be gained by using punishment to teach important moral lessons. The consequences of their actions are that Aone nation and one language for everyone (was their intention) and now they will not have the opportunity to perform that which they intended to fulfill.@ Consequently, God gives them a dose of their own medicine and Acalls this place Bavel for thereGod scattered the languages of the land and from their they become dispersed across the world.@ Yet again, the people sin, the people are punished and the nation starts anew. The building of the tower was the culmination of the era of the flood. By scattering the people to the four corners of the earth, re-creation took place another time. The whole purpose of a tragedy is to bring one thing to an end and, just as quickly, to begin another endeavor. The dispersion of the people and the mangling of the languages need not be viewed as a negative con

Some common words found in the essay are:
Book Genesis, Garden Eden, Kaufmann Exum, Walter Kaufmann, Rebecca Isaac=s, Sophocles Euripides, Sophocles Aeschylus, Noah Noah, Kaufmann Instead, Isaac Jacob, book genesis, garden eden, catastrophic tragedy, trials tribulations, view tragedy, tragedy averted, despair comes hope, classic sense, experiences tragedy, comes hope, despair comes, tragedy classic sense, consequences negative actions, tragedy abraham ishmael, created tragedy@ kaufmann,
Approximate Word count = 5320
Approximate Pages = 21 (250 words per page double spaced)