So, I'm having a hard time finding any resources that tell me, definitively, what qualifies a character as a tragic hero. I've seen the Wiki article, but I'm hoping that someone out there will be able to direct me to more sources.
2007-10-24 14:31:13 · 7 answers · asked by Cinnibuns 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I guess I asked the wrong question. I know what the characteristics are. What I really need are citable, legitimate sources telling me.
2007-10-24 14:53:14 · update #1
It was Aristotle, in his literary treatise "Poetics", who originally defined both tragedy and the the tragic hero. According to him, the tragic hero displays the qualities of goodness, appropriateness, "lifelikeness" and consistency: he intends to do good but has a tragic flaw which, together with difficult circumstances, results in his downfall. The conflict between the protagonist's heroism and his tragic downfall arouses the emotions of pity and terror in his audience, creating a cathartic effect as well as informing and enlightening the audience.
The subject is too complex to cover in much detail here; but I'm attaching a link to an article from Brainstorm Services which summarizes Aristotle's description of the tragic hero. You may want to read a translation of the "Poetics" for more info re Aristotle's original description. For more articles on the subject, just Google "Aristotle" and "tragic hero".
2007-10-24 16:12:31 · answer #1 · answered by jcdevildog 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tragic heroes are exceptional beings: this is the fundamental trait--
Tragic heroes contribute to their own destruction by acts in which we see a flaw in their character, or, by tragic error--
The difficulty is that the audience must desire the defeat/destruction of the tragic hero, but this in itself does not constitute tragic feeling.
Tragic Flaw however is the weakness in the character of the hero that brings about his downfall. For more details, follow this link.
http://global.cscc.edu/engl/264/TragedyLex.htm#GREAT
2007-10-25 04:55:11 · answer #2 · answered by Freeman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The classic flaw in the classic tragic hero is hubris (pride). The belief that the hero knows better than anyone else. The belief that he is right no matter what anyone else says. George Bush would be a good modern example.
2007-10-24 21:35:29 · answer #3 · answered by DramaGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the tragic flaw. someone who is of good morale before the storyline happened. a tragic hero is the villain protagonist. that means, he has grounds to his evil doings. he is motivated by a sad stuff. lol. and in the end, he dies. lolololol.
2007-10-24 21:41:05 · answer #4 · answered by rod_dollente 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has a farm hat on, chews a piece of hay, is plagued by rodents and lagomorphs, and has a be-atch of a critical mocking wife...that's tragic!
2007-10-24 23:49:56 · answer #5 · answered by Farmer & Granny Crabtree 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
He never cries and has got the guts that he doesnt take sympathies which others shower on him. He has got to be bold and striong minded.
He may look like the kitty in ur avatar...
TW K
2007-10-25 00:07:32 · answer #6 · answered by TW K 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
he's supposed to have a fatal flaw, then overcome it to do something good (I think), but still die in the end.
2007-10-24 21:34:46 · answer #7 · answered by lay429 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋