A tragedy involves a noble protagonist who confronts a superior force through circumstances beyond their control, leading to their downfall. The tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw that causes their reversal of fortune. By the end, the hero gains self-awareness and understanding of how their actions contributed to the tragic outcome, which often concludes with the hero's death. Key characteristics of a tragic hero include noble birth and a moment of enlightenment where they recognize their role in creating the tragic situation.

1. TragedyTragedy
Mr. BoshearsMr. Boshears

2. DefinitionDefinition
 A drama in which a character (usually a goodA drama in which a character (usually a good
and noble person of high rank) is brought to aand noble person of high rank) is brought to a
disastrous end in his or her confrontation with adisastrous end in his or her confrontation with a
superior force (fortune, the gods, social forces,superior force (fortune, the gods, social forces,
universal values), but also comes to understanduniversal values), but also comes to understand
the meaning of his or her deeds and to accept anthe meaning of his or her deeds and to accept an
appropriate punishment. (appropriate punishment. (The Norton IntroductionThe Norton Introduction
to Literatureto Literature, 7, 7thth
ed)ed)

3. Tragic HeroTragic Hero
 The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He isThe tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is
not an ordinary man, but a man withnot an ordinary man, but a man with
outstanding quality and greatness about him. Hisoutstanding quality and greatness about him. His
own destruction is for a greater cause orown destruction is for a greater cause or
principle. (<shakespeare.learnhub.com>)principle. (<shakespeare.learnhub.com>)
 ““high position” usually means a king, duke, prince,high position” usually means a king, duke, prince,
company owner, etc.company owner, etc.

4. Characteristics of a Tragic HeroCharacteristics of a Tragic Hero
According to Aristotle:According to Aristotle:
1.1. Usually of noble birthUsually of noble birth
2.2. HamartiaHamartia – a.k.a. the tragic flaw that eventually leads to his– a.k.a. the tragic flaw that eventually leads to his
downfall.downfall.
3.3. PeripeteiaPeripeteia – a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero’s– a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero’s
tragic flawtragic flaw
4.4. His actions result in an increase of self- awareness and self-His actions result in an increase of self- awareness and self-
knowledgeknowledge
5.5. The audience must feel pity and fear for this character.The audience must feel pity and fear for this character.

5. The “tragic flaw”The “tragic flaw”
 The “flaw” in the character is a defect whichThe “flaw” in the character is a defect which
keeps him/her from being aware of the situationkeeps him/her from being aware of the situation
around him/her. The character does notaround him/her. The character does not
understand (for much of the story) his/her partunderstand (for much of the story) his/her part
of creating the situation.of creating the situation.

6. The Hero’s UnderstandingThe Hero’s Understanding
The tragic hero has a “moment ofThe tragic hero has a “moment of
enlightenment” near the end of the story.enlightenment” near the end of the story.
 He/she finally understands what he/she has doneHe/she finally understands what he/she has done
wrong—how he/she contributed to the tragic situation.wrong—how he/she contributed to the tragic situation.
 The story often ends with the death of the tragic hero.The story often ends with the death of the tragic hero.

7. The Hero’s UnderstandingThe Hero’s Understanding
The tragic hero has a “moment ofThe tragic hero has a “moment of
enlightenment” near the end of the story.enlightenment” near the end of the story.
 He/she finally understands what he/she has doneHe/she finally understands what he/she has done
wrong—how he/she contributed to the tragic situation.wrong—how he/she contributed to the tragic situation.
 The story often ends with the death of the tragic hero.The story often ends with the death of the tragic hero.