Tragic Hero Definition Free Essay Sample

Tragic Hero Definition Free Essay Sample “The key element in tragedy is that heroes and heroines are destroyed by that which appears to be their greatest strength”, Robert Shea Tragic hero definition The term hero is derived from a Greek word that means a person who faces adversity, or demonstrates courage, in the face of danger. Now we can come across with different examples in the literature where the tragic hero used where definition of tragic hero explained as a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy. The tragic hero is the man of innate nobleness who still has some defect that lays him open to ruin. To this day, literature is inundated with tragic heroes, but it was the great philosopher, Aristotle, who first outlined the qualities of a tragic hero. Aristotle, in his Greek tragedy “Oedipus Rex” (which is classical tragedy), sets the typical atmosphere and mood, tragic character with tragic destiny, which illustrates the qualities of a tragedy and express it in full scope. The main character, King Oedipus possess great status and ideal qualities; but he also has his weaknesses, described by the author. Aristotles tragic hero wholly identifies himself, and which bears him on to his doom. Characteristics of a tragic hero Having read Aristotel’s work, the basic characteristics of a tragic hero, as can be defined there: Hamartia â€" a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of a hero. Hubris â€" excessive pride and disrespect for the natural order of things. Peripeteia â€" the reversal of fate that the hero experiences. Anagnorisis â€" a moment in time when hero makes an important discovery in the story. Nemesis â€" a punishment that the protagonist cannot avoid, usually occurring as a result of his hubris. Catharsis â€" feelings of pity and fear felt by the audience, for the inevitable downfall of the protagonist. Examples of a tragic hero We can say that Oedipus is truly tragic hero by the literary definition: he is a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. Aristotle has used Oedipus as a perfect example of a tragic hero, as he has hubris that is his pride makes him blind to the truth. He is tragic because he struggles against the forces of his fate and pitiable due to his weakness, which arouses fear in the audience. We also see the concept of tragic hero in Greek mythology. Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War and the central character and greatest warrior of Homers Iliad. According to legend, Achilles was extraordinarily strong, courageous and loyal, but he had one vulnerabilityâ€"his “Achilles heel.” Achilles’ heel, the one place where the powerful warrior Achilles was vulnerable. Another great example of how tragic hero can be seen is Romeo and Juliet (by William Shakespeare). This is a well- known story of true love experienced by young man and woman. Being on the different sides, as a part of two families which were in a quarrel from centuries, they couldn’t resign from it and give up without a fight. They counted on a fate’s decision which let them down in the end. This is what made the story tragic. Thus, Romeo’s tragic flaw is start believing on his fate immediately when Juliet was seen dead. So it is not only fate, but also his actions and choices that bring his downfall and death. As for modern examples of tragic hero, we can see it in Pirates of the Caribbean. Davy Jones, who has very a destiny full of losses and despair. When Calypso (the sea goddess) broke his heart, he became enrages, and turned him in to a bad man. This is a real tragedy when your bellowed one makes you a broken â€"hearted man, leaving you to suffer. Thus Jones ended up as a sea captain (growing into some sort of a monster: half human and half octopus) doomed to stay on his ship, the Flying Dutchman, forever. To sum up, the purpose of a tragic hero is to evoke sad emotions, such as pity, despair and fear, which makes the audience experience catharsis, relieving them of their pent up emotions. When readers are experiencing the situations author has presented, by going through the path of the tragic hero’s life, they share his struggle, overcome the difficulties together and learn on hero’s example how to avoid such things in their real everyday lives. The sufferings and fall of a hero, arousing feelings of pity and fear through catharsis, purges the audiences of those emotions, to transform them into good human beings and good citizens. Such empathy allows a reader both to sympathize more with a character, as flaws are what make use human.