Title:Tragic Hero and

Tragic Flaw

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/tragedy-in-drama-classical-to-modern.html#lesson

What are heroic traits?

Tragic Hero Background

“A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.”

-Aristotle

Tragic Hero Background

The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater

cause or principle.

Characteristics of a Tragic Hero

Born of Noble Birth

Typically a king or royalty

Someone that normal people would “look up to” or admire

Is neither completely good

nor completely evil,

but has a fatal flaw

Is Neither Completely Good

Nor Completely Evil

Ultimate fate is a downfall, often death

Downfall seems more impressive due to a fall from a noble position

Consider: a man who spent his life alone, poor, dies alone and poor.

A King, once wealthy and loved,

dies alone and poor.

Fate is controlled by tragic flaw

May be injured, or may suffer losses of family or fortune

Is physically or emotionally wounded by experiences

Downfall is seen as a waste of human potential

The character’s suffering contributes to the theme or life lesson

Suffers more than he deserves

Audience feels pity for hero

Audience can identify with hero’s thoughts and actions

“Wait…this could happen to me!”

Downfall brings pity or fear

Tragic Hero’s Story: Key TermsHamartia: The tragic flaw that causes the hero's downfall.

Hubris: Excessive pride, or disrespect for the natural order

Peripeteia: A reversal of fortune

Anagnorisis: The moment when the hero makes a critical discovery

Nemesis: A fate that cannot be avoided, usually as retribution for hubris

Catharsis: The feeling of pity or fear the audience experiences after the hero's fall.

Summary

• How is a tragic hero different from your definition of a hero?

•STOP

• Has outstanding quality or greatness, but audience must identify with him

• Are YOU perfect?

• Without imperfections,downfall would seem improbable or caused by fate only

Imperfect or “human” despite noble nature

• Actions result in an increase of self-awareness and self-knowledge

• Fate is discovered by his own actions, not things happening to him

Bears no responsibility for flaw, only for actions influenced by flaw

• Downfall is a result of free choice