The great mind Sophocles gave us the concept of the modern tragic hero. Sophocles lived around 350 BC and studied writing among other subjects. He wrote many different influential plays‚ but Oedipus Rex and Antigone held the trophy for most significant. Within these plays are tragic heroes‚ which Sophocles defines with five characteristics: renowned and prosperous‚ usually good and proper‚ constant in beliefs and actions‚ true to life‚ and flawed with an error or fragility that eventually causes
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who interferes in everyone’s affairs. Hamlet’s hamartia is his indecisiveness and Polonius’ tragic flaw is interference. Two scenes that create catharsis‚ is the death of Polonius and the swordfight at the end of the play. The flaws of these gentlemen are what lead to the death of not only themselves but many others. “To be or not to be” (Shakespeare) defines Hamlet to perfection and it is this flaw in his character that leads to his demise. Hamlet demonstrates many times throughout the play
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Marjories N. Vasquez Mrs. Vazquezbello AP English Lang. 5 February 2018 Oedipus Rex Questions 1. A tragic hero‚ according to Aristotle‚ contains “anagnoris” a moment of important discovery as well as “catharsis‚” feelings of pity felt by the audience (“Tragic Hero”). Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is a true Greek tragedy because it accurately displays these characteristics. The most important discovery of the hero was the realization that he is the son of Laius and Jocasta. “O‚O‚O‚ they will all come‚ all
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The difference between being a tragic character and a tragic hero depends on the role of the main character in the play. In Death of a Salesman and Oedipus‚ the main characters undergo a tragedy at the end of the story when they overcome a self realization. The arrogance that is seen through the storyline of these plays‚ allows the two characters to relate to one another. Willy‚ the main character in the play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is an average man in the city that lies to
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characters and situations are universal. Each character is relatable on the fact that every major character is a classic epitome. Iago‚ a classic villain. A scoundrel with an astonishing ability to manipulate and cause turmoil‚ and Othello a classic tragic hero who’s own jealousy and deep internalized insecurity of the prejudices surrounding him‚ helps right into Iagos “evil genius” and ultimately are the key cause in Othello’s unfortunate downfall. Iago is one of the most infamous and puzzling villains
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While writing Macbeth‚ Shakespeare completely intended for Macbeth to be a tragic hero processed a tragic flaw that would eventually lead to his demise. At the opening of the play the audience see Macbeth portrayed as the most noble of all the knights. Multiple characters throughout the play refer to Macbeth as “Brave Macbeth” (I.i.6) or “Noble Macbeth” (I.i.70) claiming he is worthy of such praise. If Macbeth is so great‚ how could he possibly do anything awful enough to ruin everything he was earned
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until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Aristotle A tragic hero is someone great‚ but not perfect. He or she walks towards his or her own death. The Heroes downfall is a result of the hero’s actions and decisions. However‚ his misfortune is usually is not deserved and is brought about not by vice or depravity‚ but by some error or frailty. This error or frailty can be illustrated as his tragic flaw‚ or his hamaratia. The tragic heroes own destruction is sometimes for a greater cause or principle
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of a tragic hero. In this composition of philosophy and literary theories‚ Aristotle’s ideas revolve around three crucial effects to audience members. First‚ the audience must develop an emotional attachment to the tragic hero. Next‚ the audience must fear what may befall the hero. Finally‚ once misfortune strikes‚ the audience pities the suffering hero. Clearly‚ for Aristotle’s theory to succeed‚ the tragic hero must be a complex and well-constructed character‚ as is seen in Sophocles’ Oedipus the
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A tragic flaw is the failing of a tragic hero‚ a character who suffers a downfall through the tragic flaw in mistaken choices or in personality. Hamlet’s tragic flaw‚ his incapacity to act to take revenge for his father’s death. Which leads to him and many others including; his queen gertrude‚ Polonius‚ Laertes and Ophelia‚ to their deaths. When the Ghost‚ his dead father‚ appears to him and charges him with the effortful task of taking revenge for his most foul murder‚ Hamlet is motivated to accept
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Jealousy and Gullibility: The Devastating Flaws of Othello By: Ryan Mongon "The tragic flaw is the most important part of the hero and the events that occur in the work is a reflection of that flaw." Aristotle The plot of William Shakespeare’s Othello is a tale of love‚ jealousy‚ and betrayal; however‚ the characters‚ themes‚ and attitudes of the works are different‚ with Shakespeare’s play being a more involved study of human nature and psychology. Othello is considered to be a prime example
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