A tragic hero is defined to be a hero who, despite being virtuous and great, also possesses qualities that lead to their downfall. This downfall is often predestined and is a common theme in Greek literature. Antigone is the tragic hero in Antigone because of her bravery, but also because of the dangerous loyalty and stubbornness that lead to her downfall.
In every piece of literature, there are multiple kinds of characters. In Greek literature, the tragic hero often makes an appearance. Sometimes, there is more than one. A tragic hero is one whose tragic flaw leads to the suffering of others and their downfall. In Antigone, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, there are two characters who could be considered tragic heroes. Creon, the King of Thebes, is the tragic hero because of his tragic flaw, hubris, his awareness in the end that it led to his downfall, and his fate that leaches a lesson to the audience.
What is a tragic hero? A tragic hero a person of high rank or quality that suffers a downfall as a result of his or her tragic flaw. These main characters Robert Peace( The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace- Hobbs) , Macbeth ( Shakespeare) and Okonkwo ( Chinua Achebe) were the tragic heros in their own story. Each character started off doing simple task then evolved into doing things that were much bigger that came with a consequence along the way. These men built character amongst themselves once they had to come face to face with their own internal conflict and to reality. All three men hit a point in their lives where they had to make choices that would cause them to be in fear or be in pitty.
A tragic hero, by short definition, is someone who falls because of a tragic flaw and not because they are evil or a bad person. Aristotle in his book, Poetics,
In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.
“A hero does good for good, not for glory” (Unknown). This quote summarizes exactly what a hero is supposed to do. A true hero is selfless and caring, not prideful and unloyal. A hero does what he/she thinks is best and plans accordingly. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the character Odysseus has just won the ten-year long Trojan War with the help of many loyal Greek soldiers. Odysseus is the king of Ithaca and is trying desperately to get home to his country and family. Along the way, Odysseus and his men are faced with many struggles, most of which are extremely dangerous, but never lose their hope for home. Although he may seem great, Odysseus is conceited, extremely unfaithful, and lacks in leadership. Odysseus may be strong and brave, but he is not what a true hero is.
power and help.Data:For example the priest says “Oedipus greatest in all men’s eyes We pray,find some strength again and rescue or city”.Warrant:From this quote readers can see that how empowered oedipus feels like and how people in thebes rely on him,Clearly this scene represents the power stage of the tragic hero.Data:After oedipus gets worshiped like a king the
The character Oedipus fits Aristotle 's criterion of character as a leader and a person because he remains consistent in trying to remove the curse from Thebes. In the introduction, Oedipus is addressing the priest about the condition of his city. "You are sick to death, but no one is as sick as I. / Your pain strikes each of you alone, each / in the confess of himself, no other. . . . my spirit / grieves for this city, for myself and all of you" (205). This shows a quality of a consistency because as a leader, he cares so much for his people as much to say that he suffers when when his people are suffering. He remains like this throughout the play. The second example is from the end of the play, when Oedipus is addressing the leader after Jocasta has just run off the stage. "Let it burst!
What is a tragic hero? A tragic hero most times affect the nature of the individual or character. Tragic heroes are always known to countenance their downfalls with dignity. According to Aristotle once said, “The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle.” There are many reasons why John Proctor was considered a tragic hero in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. He was a tragic hero because he had a tragic flaw like the rest of the tragic heros.
Ancient greece evoked many things, and one of them was tragic hero. Tragic hero is someone who can be noble, tragic flaw, reversal of fortune, suffers, recognition, and catharsis. Noble, is someone that is important, they have a high status, and hold an official title. Reversal of fortune is when someone’s life is good at the beginning and ends up being bad or someone life is bad and ends up good. Suffering, is someone who is feeling pain and hurting. Many books and movies have tragic heros or atleast traits of a tragic hero. One movie that has some traits or maybe all traits is Fences by August Wilson the time period of this movie is the late 1950’s and the setting is in Pittsburg. The main characters who have some traits are Rose Maxson,
What is a tragic hero? The most common definition of a tragic hero is a literary character that displays characteristics of bravery and courage, yet is destined to downfall. Often times, these characters have a tragic flaw which leads to the ultimate collapse of the hero. In Arthur Miller’s tragic play, The Crucible, John Proctor is a good, well-respected man, however he has one fatal flaw. His secret affair with Abigail Williams spurred the jealousy that Abigail has towards Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s wife. Abigail then began to turn John Proctor’s life around by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft. This fatal flaw eventually led John Proctor to his own death. The play is set in Salem during the Puritan era where many people, like Elizabeth
The term tragic hero is a character of noble birth who can emphasize with the audience by qualities. A tragic hero must create a situation that he or she can not change. According to Aristotle there are also certain characteristics in which a tragic hero must convey through their actions. In Shakespeare 's Macbeth some may see Macbeth as an antagonist, but Macbeth is a tragic hero because he holds high positions and works his way to more, recognizes his flaw, and shows responsibility for his doom.
Just as Oedipus becomes king his pride and confidence in himself grows. The people look at him as some kind of savior because he has defeated the king. This basically makes his ego 10 times bigger. He also is very denying of his fate. The terrible irony in this story is that everytime he tries to do the right thing, it brings about his destruction. He can’t win for losing. He is his own worst
Before Oedipus was the king of Thebes, he lived in another city with the people he thought were his parents. Oedipus, as an infant, was abandoned by Queen Jacosta and King Laius and adopted by a new family in Corinth. He was abandoned and left to die because someone had told them that when he grew up he would kill his father and
The characters in Oedipus the King develop the plot and make it a complete tragedy. Oedipus, had some undesirable flaws as well as some good characteristics. Oedipus had a flaring temper that ruined his life. We all learned that having a bad attitude doesn’t get you anywhere in life. Oedipus was also arrogant, especially after defeating the Sphinx. But, he was also a good man, father, husband, and king, and for this reason he is mourned over for his loss of fortune.