THE CONCEPT OF TRAGIC FATE IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE: EASTERN AND WESTERN PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This study explores the concept of tragic fate, one of the oldest aesthetic categories in literary studies, tracing its evolution from classical Greek tragedy to modern Eastern and Western literature. Through a comparative analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedies (Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet) and Navoi’s Farhod and Shirin, the research examines how fate, character flaws, and social circumstances shape tragic outcomes. The study highlights universal and culture-specific features of tragedy, demonstrating that while external and internal factors vary across cultures, the central function of tragedy - depicting inevitable misfortune and human vulnerability before destiny - remains consistent. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of tragedy as both a literary and socio-cultural phenomenon.