Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is the main character (or protagonist) of a tragedy.

According to Aristotle a tragic hero must be noble or royal. A tragic hero is better-than-average, but not
perfect.

In a tragedy the tragic hero always experiences a misfortune as a result of a tragic flaw.

A tragic hero is often punished greater than his crime.

To be a tragic hero, the character must learn or discover something very important as a result of their
misfortune or fall.

Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is the main character (or protagonist) of a tragedy.

According to Aristotle a tragic hero must be noble or royal. A tragic hero is better-than-average, but not
perfect.

In a tragedy the tragic hero always experiences a misfortune as a result of a tragic flaw.

A tragic hero is often punished greater than his crime.

To be a tragic hero, the character must learn or discover something very important as a result of their
misfortune or fall.

“Hamartia”, or Tragic Flaw

Pronounced : “hah – mar – TEE – uh”

The hamartia is the tragic flaw that causes the tragic hero’s downfall.

Tragic heroes all have tragic flaws to make them more like us.

One common tragic flaw is “hubris” (pronounced: hew-bris) and means “great pride” or “arrogance”.

The hamartia is usually caused by bad choice the tragic hero makes and not by fate.

“Hamartia”, or Tragic Flaw

Pronounced : “hah – mar – TEE – uh”

The hamartia is the tragic flaw that causes the tragic hero’s downfall.

Tragic heroes all have tragic flaws to make them more like us.

One common tragic flaw is “hubris” (pronounced: hew-bris) and means “great pride” or “arrogance”.

The hamartia is usually caused by bad choice the tragic hero makes and not by fate.

Catharsis

Pronounced: “cuh – THAR– siss”

Aristotle did not want tragedy to leave people depressed by the story. Catharsis cleanses the audience of
sad emotions like pity and fear that come from the play.

Catharsis means a cleansing or purging of emotion.

Catharsis is what the audience feels after the tragic hero has learned the important lesson from his
downfall.

Catharsis

Pronounced: “cuh – THAR– siss”

Aristotle did not want tragedy to leave people depressed by the story. Catharsis cleanses the audience of
sad emotions like pity and fear that come from the play.

Catharsis means a cleansing or purging of emotion.

Catharsis is what the audience feels after the tragic hero has learned the important lesson from his
downfall.