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- DictionaryTragic hero
noun
- 1. the central character of a play, film, etc., depicted as a noble figure who experiences a tragic downfall: "Hamlet is the perfect example of the tragic hero"
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Tragic Hero Definition. What is a tragic hero? Here’s a quick and simple definition: A tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, and is usually the protagonist. Tragic heroes typically have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience, but also have flaws or make mistakes that ultimately lead to their own downfall.
A tragic hero is a character that represents the consequences that come from possessing one or more personal flaws or being doomed by a particular fate. Traditionally, the purpose of tragic hero as a literary device is to evoke pity and/or fear in an audience through the protagonist’s flaw and consequential downfall.
- Oedipus (from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King) Where they start: At the start of the play, Oedipus is the king of Thebes. At the very top of society, he’s a little full of himself, but overall a good person.
- Antigone (from Sophocles’ Antigone) Where they start: Before the tragedy, Antigone is the loyal and high-born sister of not just one, but two kings. The fatal flaw: Her stubbornness.
- Jay Gatsby (from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby) Where they start: Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, throws lavish parties and is (superficially) popular and well-regarded by Long Island’s social elite.
- Macbeth (from Shakespeare’s Macbeth) Where they start: Macbeth is a brave and loyal general serving under King Duncan. The fatal flaw: His ambition. What went wrong: After learning (by way of prophecy) that he will one day be king, Macbeth is gripped by an urge to claim his crown sooner rather than later.
A tragic hero (or tragic heroine if they are female) is the protagonist of a tragedy. In his Poetics, Aristotle records the descriptions of the tragic hero to the playwright and strictly defines the place that the tragic hero must play and the kind of man he must be.
A tragic hero (TRAA-jik HE-row) is a protagonist whose traits or choices cause their downfall. These characters embody heroic traits like courage, compassion, and integrity, but they fail to successfully confront their main conflict due to a fatal flaw, poor judgment, or a combination of both.
A tragic hero is a character in a dramatic tragedy who has virtuous and sympathetic traits but ultimately meets with suffering or defeat. Something tragic is sadly disastrous, such as the untimely death of a loved one.
Tragic Hero Definition. A tragic hero is a central character, typically the protagonist, who, despite their noble traits, characteristics, or choices, is ultimately doomed by a fatal flaw or poor judgment. Therefore, rather than saving the day, tragic heroes face an unfortunate fate.
