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1. Introduction
Poetics is one of the most important works created by Aristotle. From Chapter 6 to Chapter 22, it concentrates mainly on tragedy. Until now, Aristotle’s tragic theory in Poetics still plays a significant role in artistic creation. Du Shiniang and Tess are two tragic characters that we know very well. Although they were written by authors coming from different countries, different social systems, and different times, 本论文由英语论文网 www.51lunwen.org整理提供they share many similarities, such as social status, sufferings, characters and causes for their tragic fates. Combined with Aristotle’s tragic theory, this paper is just to compare these similarities shared between Du Shiniang and Tess so that the readers can have a better understanding of the two characters and their tragic fates.

1.1 The Definition of Tragedy
In Poetics, Aristotle lays down a definition for tragedy. He points out that tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions. (张中载, 2002:40)
1.2 The Main Idea of Du Shiniang and Tess
According to Aristotle’s definition, tragedy is an imitation of an action that is complete.
The story of Du Shiniang is complete. At the beginning of the story, Shiniang meets with Li Jia and they are in love with each other, living together in Jiaofangsi, a brothel. In the middle, Li Jia buys back the freedom of Shiniang and leaves the brothel. On the way, Li Jia wants to sell Shiniang to Sun Fu. At the end of the story, Shiniang commits suicide by jumping into a river with all her treasures.
Compared with Du Shiniang, Tess also has a complete story. In the beginning, Tess is seduced by Alec D’Urbervilles. In the middle, Tess meets with Angel Clare and they fall in love with each other. They get married, but Tess is abandoned by Angel after he knows the relationship between Tess and Alec. At the end of the story, Angel comes back from Brazil to look for Tess. Tess kills Alec with anger. Thus, Tess is condemned to death by hanging.
Obviously, both stories are complete. The whole life of Du Shiniang and Tess is portrayed in details, so readers can have a clear storyline in their mind after they read the two stories.
2. The Hero or Heroine of Tragedy
2.1 Aristotle’s Regulation on the Hero or Heroine
Aristotle was born in Old Greek in the slave-system. In artistic creation, of course, he can’t get rid of some limitations of his time. One of the limitations can be reflected by his class conception. “He (the hero) must be one who is highly renowned and prosperous—a personage like Oedipus, Thyestes, or other illustrious men of such families.”(张中载, 2002:47) That is the regulation that Aristotle makes on the hero or heroine of the tragedy.
2.2 Similar Social Status of Du Shiniang and Tess
Although Du Shiniang and Tess were born in different social systems, they have very similar social status. Both of them live at the bottom of society.
Du Shiniang has been a prostitute since she was thirteen years old. She has to earn her living by selling her freedom. Her freedom doesn’t exist any more. Li Jia buys back her freedom, but then he wants to sell her. What a poor woman who is bought and sold arbitrarily just like goods and slav