*Tragic Hero: tragic hero heroes are the protagonists of
tragedies, an old drama genre that originated in Ancient Greece.
Tragedies contemplate the deeds and inevitable
downfall of great individuals, typically caused by a significant
flaw in that great individual. As a result, the tragic hero is the essential
element of any classic tragedy.
*A
tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist.
Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the
audience, but also have flaws or make mistakes
that ultimately lead to their own downfall.
*The
ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle
was the first to define a “tragic hero.”
*The
idea of the tragic hero was first defined by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle based on his study of Greek drama.
*Despite
the term “tragic hero,” it’s
sometimes the case that tragic heroes are not really heroes at all in the
typical sense—and in a few cases, antagonists
may even be described as tragic heroes.
*According
to Aristotle, a tragic hero must:
·
Be
virtuous: In Aristotle’s time, this meant that the character should be
a noble. It also meant that the
character should be both capable and powerful (i.e.
“heroic”), and also feel responsible
to the rules of honor and morality that guided Greek culture.
·
Be flawed: While being heroic, the character
must also have a tragic flaw (also called hamartia)
or more generally be subject to human error, and the flaw must lead to
the character’s downfall.
*Nevertheless,
the essence of a tragic hero in modern times maintains two key aspects from
Aristotle’s day:
·
The tragic hero must have the sympathy of the
audience.
·
The tragic hero must, despite their best efforts or
intentions, come to ruin because of some tragic flaw in their own character.
*There
are two terms that are often confused with tragic hero: antihero and Byronic
hero.
·
Antihero: An antihero is a protagonist who
lacks many of the conventional qualities associated with heroes, such as courage,
honesty, and integrity, but still has the audience’s
sympathy. An antihero may do the right thing for the wrong reason.
·
Despite the term “tragic hero,”
it’s sometimes the case that tragic heroes are not really heroes at all in the
typical sense—and in a few cases, antagonists may even be described as tragic
heroes.
*The
ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was
the first to define a “tragic hero.”
*In
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1597),
Romeo is a tragic hero. His reckless passion in love,
which makes him a compelling character, also leads directly to the tragedy of
his death.
*Sophocles'
tragic play Oedipus
Rex (i.e. 441BC) what is perhaps the most well-known example of
Aristotle's definition of the tragic hero—and it's also a good example of
hubris.
*Arthur
Miller wrote his play Death of a Salesman (1949)
the intent of creating a tragedy about a
man who was not a noble or powerful man, but rather a regular working person, a
salesman.
*The tragic hero, according to
Aristotle, must have four characteristics.
*Five stages of Tragic Hero:
*Hubris: Out of all
the potent flaws possessed by tragic heroes, hubris is the most
classically heroic. In Greek
tragedy, hubris is defined as "excessive pride that blinds." Classical heroes typically possess various superhuman traits;
extraordinary strength at arms, divine lineage, and flawless honor are commonly
associated with tragic heroes.
*Hamartia: Hamartia comes from the Greek word hamartanein meaning "to err." Accordingly,
hamartia is the word Aristotle uses to describe when a tragic hero makes a
mistake that leads to their downfall. Hamartia is often confused with the
source of that mistake, a hero's tragic flaw. This negative trait serves as the catalyst that brings a hero low.
Potential flaws include hubris, an excessively self-sacrificial nature, and an
abundance of honor.
*Peripeteia: Peripeteia refers to a sudden change in fortune or reversal of circumstances. In
a comedy, this describes the moment in which the protagonist’s situation goes
from unhappy to
happy. In a tragedy, this describes how the tragic hero’s situation goes from
prestigious to pitiable.
*Anagnorisis: Anagnorisis is a narrative moment of discovery. In a comedy, this refers to
unveiling disguised characters’ identities. In a tragedy, the anagnorisis
consists of the protagonist realizing the terrible truth of his situation.
*Nemesis: While the word "nemesis"
invokes imagery of potent antagonists doggedly set against the protagonist, the
Ancient Greeks apply the word more broadly; the nemesis of a story instigates
the conflict. This characteristic can easily be an individual, but just as often, the nemesis in a tragedy is the protagonist's fatal flaw.
*Catharsis: Aristotle labels catharsis as an essential foundation for a tragedy's
moral instruction. The Greek katharsis translates to "purging" or
"cleansing." Catharsis is the process by which a tragedy simultaneously
evokes powerful emotion while providing an outlet for said emotions. If a work
of art can spark emotion in the audience, it helps them connect to the work;
helping provide an outlet for that emotion helps revive the audience and grant
them peace and solace.
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