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How Is Okonkwo A Tragic Hero

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Okonkwo the main protagonist in the novel by Chinua Achebe, is the greatest hero in the eyes of his society or nine clans in Nigeria. The success of a common man like him, actually created an avenue for the rest of the society to put in their own effort rather than to simply rely on the God’s path. In order to prove that, he has taken opportunities to act based on his determination, and also to perform differently without resembling his father and his ideology. Despite his success and recognition in the society, his inner agony actually suppressed his own life. This essay will deliberate on Things fall apart adheres to the definition of tragedy, does it follow the plot, other principles such as the theory of hamartia, catharsis and the law of probability and necessity as defined by the Aristotle. Aristotle defines in his poetics, “tragedy is an imitation of an action; and an action implies personal agents, who necessarily possess certain distinctive qualities both of character and thoughts.” The protagonist can be considered as a tragic hero as his character and personal trait is different from others, which means that among his tribes, he is a successful man, who own lots of yams and his success is likely seen through his three wives and eight children, which showcase the success and different quality that elite people own in Ibo Society. Besides that he has also won the title of a wrestler in the clan (Ch.1. p.3-4) Aristotle defines in his poetics, “tragedy is an

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