  Later in the Critical Reflections Du Bos returns to the paradox of tragedy and gives a rather different solution. This later passage is apparently influenced by Aristotle’s Poetics since Du Bos speaks of the purging of emotions. He means by this, however, something other than Aristotle meant. According to Du Bos, “The faithful depiction of the passions suffices to make us afraid and make us resolve to avoid them with all of the determination of which we are capable” (1.44). For example, we watch a performance of Medea and we are horrified by the passion for vengeance and resolve not to indulge in it.