Common Characteristics of a Common Characteristics of a Tragic HeroTragic Hero

•Usually of noble birthUsually of noble birth•Has a tragic flaw that leads to his Has a tragic flaw that leads to his

downfalldownfall•Suffering of the hero must not be Suffering of the hero must not be

senselesssenseless•Audience must feel pity and fear Audience must feel pity and fear

for this characterfor this character•Downfall is often due to Downfall is often due to

excessive prideexcessive pride•Misfortune is a result of his own Misfortune is a result of his own

actions but is not wholly deservedactions but is not wholly deserved

Characteristics of a TragedyCharacteristics of a Tragedy

Protagonist_ extraordinary person Protagonist_ extraordinary person who meets miserywho meets misery

Celebrates courage in the face of Celebrates courage in the face of defeatdefeat

Ends in unhappy catastrophe that Ends in unhappy catastrophe that cannot be avoidedcannot be avoided

OMM- structured like a playOMM- structured like a play

Act I- Ch. 1&2-Introduces characters Act I- Ch. 1&2-Introduces characters and backgroundand background

Act II- Ch. 3&4-Develops conflictAct II- Ch. 3&4-Develops conflictAct III- Ch. 5&6-Brings resolutionAct III- Ch. 5&6-Brings resolution

Setting- lends itself to staging; most Setting- lends itself to staging; most of the novella can be transferred into of the novella can be transferred into dialogue or stage directionsdialogue or stage directions