What is a tragic What is a tragic hero?hero?

Tracking the

six elements

to understand Shakespeare’s characters

WHAT IS A TRAGEDY?WHAT IS A TRAGEDY?

A tragedy is defined as a form of drama with the fortunes and misfortunes and, ultimately, the disasters that befall human beings of title, power, and position.A tragedy inevitably

ends in the ruin or demise of the hero, contains an element of fate with the façade of free will and acts as a cry against the tragic situation unfolding. A tragic hero is the main character of the play and must submit to six basic characteristics.

#1: NOBLE STATURE#1: NOBLE STATURE

Since tragedy often involves the “fall” of the hero, he or she must have a high position to fall from, or else there is no tragedy. People who fall from a high position in society, such as king, affect the lives of others.

#2: TRAGIC FLAW#2: TRAGIC FLAW

The hero must “fall” due to something wrong his or her personality. One of the most common flaws is hubris (too much pride). In Greek mythology, this is seen when mortals think they can do better than the gods. In Shakespearean drama, it is seen when characters think they can avoid or change their fate.

#3: FREE CHOICE#3: FREE CHOICE

The hero falls because he chooses one course of action over the other. In other words, he has made a life-changing mistake. Look for warnings from other characters that go unheeded, for example.

#4: PUNISHMENT #4: PUNISHMENT EXCEEDS THE CRIMEEXCEEDS THE CRIME

The audience has to feel sorry for the tragic hero. They must feel that he did not get what he deserved. Death is the most common punishment that cannot be reversed AND seems the harshest.

#5: INCREASED #5: INCREASED AWARENESS AWARENESS

The hero must come to some sort of an understanding of what went wrong or what was really going on before he dies. He must come to accept a truth.

#6: PRODUCES #6: PRODUCES CATHARSISCATHARSIS FOR AUDIENCE FOR AUDIENCEThe audience must not feel guilty for what happened to the tragic hero. They must feel emotionally drained, but happy. The ending must leave them satisfied that all has happened for a reason, and all characters have had life-altering realizations.

WHERE WILL I HAVE WHERE WILL I HAVE TO KNOW THIS?TO KNOW THIS?

You will need to know this information during your study of tragic hero in order to write an essay, complete activities and discuss the main characters and their journeys.

You will also need to know this information for your final exam. You will need to be able to discuss the six characteristics of a tragic hero. So don’t lose your notes.