In his work Poetics Aristotle describes tragedy as “a representation of an action that is serious, complete, and of some magnitude; in language that is pleasurably embellished, the different forms of embellishment occurring in separate parts; presented in the form of action, not narration; by means of pity and fear bringing about the catharsis of such emotions” (Aristotle, 64). Aristotle goes on to give examples of successful tragedy as well as some conventions that a tragic poet should follow. The song and music video for “Cath,” by Death Cab for Cutie, follows the conventions laid out by Aristotle and fits his definition of a tragedy.

Aristotle gives the tragedy six elements that determine its quality: plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle and song. The most important of these elements according to Aristotle is plot. This is because” tragedy is a representation, not of people, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness – and happiness and unhappiness are bound up in action” (Aristotle, 65). The story of the song and video “Cath” is that of a woman who’s “heart was dying fast” and decides to marry a man who she does not love (Gibbard). This is a complex plot according to Aristotle’s definitions because she decides to go through with the marriage after coming to recognition. As seen in the video Cath reaches a point where she is truly second guessing her actions when she notices a man in the pews that is possibly, as the lyrics state, one of the “many men who could have loved [her] more” (Gibbard). After kissing this man, in what seems to be a moment that is apart from reality, Cath comes to some recognition that leads her to continue the wedding ceremony. Although the watcher cannot know for sure what she came to realize the lyrics “your heart was dying fast and you didn't know what to do,” suggest that she feels that she is of the age where she should be married rather than continue looking for true love. It may happen that if she continues to look for love she may end up alone. Perhaps her recognition is that she is unwilling to take that chance.

Aristotle also mentions that a tragedy should rouse feelings of fear and pity from the audience. He says “our pity is awakened by undeserved misfortune, and our fear by that of someone just like ourselves – pity for the undeserving sufferer and fear for the man like ourselves” (Aristotle, 73). Those who watch the video for “Cath” can possibly feel pity for both Cath and the man in the pews. Although one can argue that Cath has put herself in a situation of misfortune, it seems that the man in the pews does not deserve this misfortune. Both characters seem to be average people, most watchers would be able to identify with them and perhaps feel fear of being put in their situation.

Cath’s story ends in misfortune and suffering, just as Aristotle suggests that the best tragedies should end. Although the video is short it can still be seem as a tragedy that even Aristotle would recognize as successful and worthy of praise.