Crying and Catharsis

The ancient Greeks believed that art, especially tragedy, had a positive emotional effect on an audience. The audience would experience catharsis,  a purging of emotions while watching the sad, tragic downfall of hero. You might have experienced something similar while watching a tearjerker movie: you feel that familiar lump in your throat . . . your eyes are prickly . . . a  tear rolls down your cheek. After you wipe your eyes as the credit rolls, you feel a sense of relief close to euphoria. You've been purged of sad and negative emotions, but you weren't crying over your own problems. You were crying over the star-crossed lovers or the the younger cancer patient or Nemo's mom. It's a positive experience because you had a good cry, but you aren't the one in pain.

Here's the challenge: can you make it through this post without crying? I made it to #6. Post in the comments which items had the biggest emotional effect on you and why. If you are a big Disney fan, this post may do it for you even more.

Next, write about catharsis. Which kinds of art are cathartic for you - music? film? books? Examine why that art genre inspires your emotions. Give an example of a cathartic experience you had (or, if you don't want to be too personal, it could be the experience of an, ahem, "friend").