catharsis

The purging of emotional tension that an audience is meant to experience at the climactic moment of a story or play. This experience can provide relief and, at the same time, allow us to think more clearly about the consequences of a character's decisions, our sympathy with them, and our concern that we might find ourselves in a similar situation if we are not careful. The emotions we feel during this purging experience are generally pity and fear, pity for the suffering of the character and fear that we might be just as vulnerable in our own lives. Catharsis, therefore, is an occasion to engage our ethical sensibility. This release of tension is usually associated with tragedy, in which the main character suffers from his own weaknesses; however, comedies, which always end happily, can produce emotional tension as well.