Defining Characteristics of Tragedy vs. Comedy

In the realm of drama, both tragedy and comedy serve as vital expressions of the human experience, but they achieve their effects through different means. Tragedy often invokes profound themes like fate, suffering, and moral dilemmas that lead to the protagonist’s downfall, whereas comedy tends to highlight the absurdities of life and interpersonal relationships through humor and irony. Consider the following dramatic works: Shakespeare's Hamlet, Molière's The Misanthrope, and Beckett's Waiting for Godot. Which option best represents a defining characteristic of tragedy as distinguished from comedy?