Aristotle s theory of the Tragic Hero
Aristotle’s theory of the Tragic Hero:
“A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall”
Tragic hero’s who fit under Aristotle’s depiction are known as ‘Aristotelian Tragic Hero’s’ and possess five specific characteristics;
1) A flaw or error of judgment (also known as ‘hamartia’ which is a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine)
2) A reversal of fortune due to the error of judgment (also known as ‘peripeteia’, which is a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances)
3) The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero’s own actions (Referred to as ‘anagnorisis’, which is a moment in a play when a character makes a critical discovery)
4) Excessive pride (hubris)
5) The character’s fate must be greater than deserved’.
In the beginning, the character must be seen as equal morally to normal people in order for the audience to identify with him/her. This identification allows the sentiment of ‘pity’ which is crucial in a tragic play. The Aristotelian tragic hero inevitably suffers a tragic death, having fallen from great heights and made an irreversible mistake. The hero must courageously accept their death with honour.
Other common traits of the Aristotelian tragic hero:
a) Hero must suffer more than he deserves
b) Hero must be doomed from the start, but bears no responsibility for possessing his flaw.
c) Hero must be noble in nature, but be imperfect so that the audience can see themselves in him.
d) Hero must have discovered his fate by his own actions, not by things happening to him.
e) Hero must understand his doom, as well as the fact that his fate was discovered by his own actions.
f) Hero’s story should arouse fear and empathy.
g) Hero must be physically or spiritually wounded by his experiences, usually resulting in his death.
h) The hero must be intelligent so that he may learn from his mistakes.
i) The hero must have a weakness, usually, it is pride.
“A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall”
Tragic hero’s who fit under Aristotle’s depiction are known as ‘Aristotelian Tragic Hero’s’ and possess five specific characteristics;
1) A flaw or error of judgment (also known as ‘hamartia’ which is a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine)
2) A reversal of fortune due to the error of judgment (also known as ‘peripeteia’, which is a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances)
3) The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero’s own actions (Referred to as ‘anagnorisis’, which is a moment in a play when a character makes a critical discovery)
4) Excessive pride (hubris)
5) The character’s fate must be greater than deserved’.
In the beginning, the character must be seen as equal morally to normal people in order for the audience to identify with him/her. This identification allows the sentiment of ‘pity’ which is crucial in a tragic play. The Aristotelian tragic hero inevitably suffers a tragic death, having fallen from great heights and made an irreversible mistake. The hero must courageously accept their death with honour.
Other common traits of the Aristotelian tragic hero:
a) Hero must suffer more than he deserves
b) Hero must be doomed from the start, but bears no responsibility for possessing his flaw.
c) Hero must be noble in nature, but be imperfect so that the audience can see themselves in him.
d) Hero must have discovered his fate by his own actions, not by things happening to him.
e) Hero must understand his doom, as well as the fact that his fate was discovered by his own actions.
f) Hero’s story should arouse fear and empathy.
g) Hero must be physically or spiritually wounded by his experiences, usually resulting in his death.
h) The hero must be intelligent so that he may learn from his mistakes.
i) The hero must have a weakness, usually, it is pride.