Tragic Hero

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Tragedy & The Hero

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Tragic heroes

Tragic heroes are failed pragmatists. Their ends are unrealistic and their means are impractical. -Adam Phillips

Consider this quote. Reflect on it and be prepared to share your ideas on it at the end of this presentation.

Consider this quote. Reflect on it and be prepared to share your ideas on it at the end of this presentation.

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Tragic heroes

The catastrophe of the tragic hero is that all his furious energy and intellectual daring drive him on to this terrible discovery of his fundamental ignorance - he is not the measure of all things but the thing measured and found wanting. -Robert Fagles

the idea of the tragic hero

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Introduction to Tragic Heroes

First defined by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle based on his study of Greek dramaTragic heroes are the key ingredient that make tragedies "tragic"

• Noble character

• Capable and powerful ("heroic")

• Feel responsible to the rules of honor and morality that guided Greek culture.

Noble Stature:

• Tragedies involving people of stature affect the lives of others. In the case of a king, the tragedy would not only involve the individual and his family, it would also involve the whole society.

Be virtuous:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• A flaw of personality or mistake that leads to the character's downfall

• Often emerges from the character's own heroic qualities

Hamartia Have a Fatal Flaw

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• While there is often a discussion of the role of fate in the downfall of a tragic hero, there must be an element of choice in order for there to be a true tragedy.

• The tragic hero falls because he chooses one course of action over another.

Free Choice:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• The audience must not be left feeling that the tragic hero got what he deserved.

• Part of what makes the action "tragic" is to witness the injustice of what has occurred to the tragic hero.

The Punishment Exceeds the Crime

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• Anagnorisis refers to the moment in a story when a character makes a critical discovery or realization, often leading to a dramatic turning point in the plot.

• Anagnorisis occurs when a character suddenly understands their true identity, discovers an important truth, or realizes the significance of past events.

• This revelation usually leads to heightened tension and conflict, propelling the story toward its climax.

Anagnorisis- The Hero has Increased Awareness:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• Anagnorisis refers to the moment in a story when a character makes a critical discovery or realization, often leading to a dramatic turning point in the plot.

• Anagnorisis occurs when a character suddenly understands their true identity, discovers an important truth, or realizes the significance of past events.

• This revelation usually leads to heightened tension and conflict, propelling the story toward its climax.

Anagnorisis- The Hero has Increased Awareness:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• From good to bad

• Leads to the character's terrible, excessive downfall

Suffer a Reversal of Fortune:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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• Catharsis is a feeling of "emotional purgation" that an audience feels after witnessing the plight of a tragic hero.

• We feel emotionally drained, but exultant.

• We should be encouraged to reflect on our own personality traits, flaws, actions in order to avoid a similar fate.

Produces Catharsis in Audience:

Aristotle's Definition of a Tragic Hero

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Quiz Time

Quiz Time

Quiz Time

Quiz Time

Quiz Time

Quiz Time

Tragic heroes

Tragic heroes are failed pragmatists. Their ends are unrealistic and their means are impractical. -Adam Phillips

Tragic heroes

The catastrophe of the tragic hero is that all his furious energy and intellectual daring drive him on to this terrible discovery of his fundamental ignorance - he is not the measure of all things but the thing measured and found wanting.-Robert Fagles

Watch this short one minute video to learn a little bit more about tragic heroes.