Tragic Heroes The Epic An epic is a

Tragic Heroes

The Epic • An epic is a long narrative poem/prose that deals with a hero’s adventures and deeds • Often reflects a culture’s ideals, values, and beliefs • Examples: Gilgamesh, The Illiad, and The Odyssey

Characteristics of a Hero • Larger than life • Perform great deeds, heroic battles, or dangerous quests • May be demi-god • A sense of honor • Hubris- a characteristic (often pride) that may lead to terrible consequences

In Table Groups • In what ways is Okonkwo a hero? • Larger than life • Perform great deeds, heroic battles, or dangerous quests • May be demi-god • A sense of honor • Hubris- a characteristic (often pride) that may lead to terrible consequences

Elements of Tragedy • According to Aristotle, tragedy depicts the downfall of a basically good person through some fatal error or misjudgment (hubris), producing suffering and insight on the part of the protagonist. • This allows the audience to feel catharsis • Catharsis: release of strong emotions (bringing relief) • Protagonists suffer; audience relates and therefore feels pity or fear • Classic tragedies culminate with a new understanding from the protagonist or a moral awakening.

What is a tragic hero? • A tragic hero is the protagonist of the story, who for all accounts is a typical hero or lead character, but who has a tragic or fatal undoing. • Because of some character flaw, the tragic hero is doomed to fail.

The Tragic Flaw (hamartia) • The tragic flaw is whatever it is a reoccurring trait that causes a character to fail. • Common examples are: • • • Pride Vanity Over confidence Arrogance Cowardice Etc.

Important Definitions 1. Tragedy = representation of an action that is serious and complete and of a certain magnitude. You need to consider this. 2. Tragic hero = protagonist of story who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. Has a tragic flaw (hamartia) that leads to downfall. Oftentimes, this flaw is a sort of excessive pride (hubris). You need to understand this.

Purpose of tragedy • to create pity and fear in the audience, leading to a purging of emotions (catharsis).

The Tragic Flaw - Hamartia • The tragic flaw is whatever it is a reoccurring trait that causes a character to fail. • Common examples are: • • • Pride Vanity Over confidence Arrogance Cowardice Etc.

Classical Tragic Hero • Noble birth, or high stature. Heroic or potentially heroic qualities. • Fated by the Gods or supernatural force to doom or at least to great suffering. Reversal of fortune. • Struggles against fate. Belief in own freedom wins our admiration, despite pending doom. • Tragic flaw = often resisting fate i. e. defying gods. (see next page for examples) • Harsh punishment = death (usually) • Public mourning

Shakespearean Tragic Hero • Noble birth, or high stature. Has potential for greatness = his/her tragedy will have far-reaching effects. • A good person, but reversal in fortune • Makes serious errors in judgment, including misreading of situations. • Alienates and isolates self • Recognizes mistakes/flaw too late, so tries to at least die bravely. • Tragic flaw • Harsh punishment = death • Public mourning

Modern Tragic Hero • Modern – combo of the all, with some revision… • Society may be oppressor • Does not have to be high born. Common man • May/not result in recognition of tragic flaw • Harsh Punishment: May/not die • May/not be mourned

Okonkwo as a Tragic Hero Defining quality A person whose fate matters to a nation or people. Challenges Fate - struggles against supernatural forces or doom. Has a tragic flaw (hamartia), a personality flaw, or is unable to accept a diminished view of the self. Examples: � Pride (hubris) � Vanity � Over confidence � Arrogance � Cowardice… Fails -makes choices that bring about his/her destruction and/or Fate or accident prevent success. Develops deeper self-knowledge; -through suffering becomes enlightened. Okonkwo Details

Journal 18. 2 • What are examples of tragic heroes you can think of? • These can come from movies, TV, the news, etc.

The Tragic Hero Achilles • Achilles was the immortal warrior who fought hector in the Trojan war. • Many believe that his tragic flaw was the fact he was only vulnerable to injury in his heel. • However, his real flaw was that he was more concerned with fame and glory, than living to be an old man • The result of this was that when given the chance to stop fighting, he instead chose to pursue glory and in the end died for it. • He also disgraced Hector’s body, angering the Gods, again leading to his eventual death.