the tragic hero. tragic hero background a tragic hero is often used in shakespearean literature....
TRANSCRIPT
The Tragic Hero
Tragic Hero Background
A tragic hero is often used in Shakespearean literature.
This model of a hero may not always be a “good guy”.
The tragic hero has made its way into more contemporary literature because audiences can relate to them.
A tragic hero follows a twelve step pattern.
What Defines Shakespearean
Tragedy? A Tragic Hero
The Tragic Flaw-Hamartia
Reversal of Fortune
Catharsis
Restoration of Social Order –Denouement
Tragic Hero Traits
The tragic hero is someone we, as an audience, look up to—someone superior.
The tragic hero is nearly perfect, and we identify with him/her
The hero has one flaw or weakness
We call this the ‘tragic flaw’, ‘fatal flaw’, or hamartia
Reversal of Fortune
The ‘fatal flaw’ brings the hero down from his/her elevated state.
Renaissance audiences were familiar with the ‘wheel of fortune’ or ‘fickle fate’.
What goes up, must come down.
Catharsis
We get the word ‘catharsis’ from Aristotle’s katharsis.
‘Catharsis’ is the audience’s purging of emotions through pity and fear.
The spectator is purged as a result of watching the hero fall.
This is why we cry during movies!
Restoration of Social Order
Tragedies include a private and a public element
The play cannot end until society is, once again, at peace.
This is why the Tragic Hero often dies!
Tragic Hero Pattern
Step 1 – A protagonist of high estate
Step 2 – A tragic flaw in character
Step 3 – Intrusion of time, sense or urgency
Step 4 – Misreading/Rationalizations
Step 5 – Murder, exile, alienation of enemies and allies
Step 6 – Gradual isolation of Tragic Hero
Tragic Hero Pattern
Step 7 – Mobilization of opposition
Step 8 – Recognition of tragic flaw, too late
Step 9 – Last courageous attempt to restore greatness.
Step 10 – Audience recognizes potential for greatness.
Step 11 – Death of tragic hero.
Step 12 – Restoration of order.