Slide 1

Tragedy, the Tragic Hero, and the Anti-Hero

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Tragedy "Tragedy is a form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear. Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments, and it should be written in poetry embellished with every kind of artistic expression."

Slide 3

Tragic hero The tragic hero is pre-eminently great, but he/she is not perfect. Otherwise, the rest of us--mere mortals--would be unable to identify with the tragic hero. We should see in him or her as someone who is essentially like us, although perhaps elevated to a higher position in society.

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Tragedy This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia and is usually translated as "tragic flaw" Often the character's hamartia involves hubris (which is defined as a sort of arrogant pride or over- confidence).

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Hubris or humble? Where do you see hubris portrayed in King Lear? Does this ever change? If so, at what point in the play does it change and why?

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The anti hero

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Anti hero vs tragic hero Tragic hero: the main character in a tragedy who makes an error in his or her actions that leads to his or her downfall. Anti Hero: A central character in a work of literature who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage, physical prowess, and fortitude.

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Tragic flaw Each group must find two examples in the text to defend their assigned tragic flaw as being King Lears ultimate tragic flaw. Group 1: Lack of self-knowledge Group 2: Rashness of judgment Group 3: Self-centeredness Group 4: Other

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JOURNAL In your journal, write an outline supporting one the four tragic flaws for King Lear. Use evidence from the text to support your response.