Tragedy is the imitation of action arousing pity and fear, and is meant to effect the catharsis of those same emotions.
tɹˈædʒədi ɪz ðɪ ˌɪmɪtˈeɪʃən ʌv ˈækʃən ɚɹˈaʊzɪŋ pˈɪɾi ænd fˈɪɹ, ænd ɪz mˈɛnt tʊ ɪfˈɛkt ðə kæθˈɑːɹsɪs ʌv ðoʊz sˈeɪm ɪmˈoʊʃənz.