ARISTOTLE'S TRAGIC HERO PAPER 1.4-LITERARY CRITICISM AND THEORY MA ENGLISH Mr. SURESH BHOSALE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

TRAGIC HERO The idea of "Tragic Hero" was first define by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle based on his study of Greek drama. In Chapter X||| of The Poetics. he He has spoken about his conception of Tragic Hero

DEFINATION A tragic hero is a type a of character in a play,who makes an error, while. judging the situation. He is the one who suffers due to some flaw in his character or due to his inevitable fate. Whatever may be the case,a tragic hero is the most tragic personality in tragedy.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAGIC HERO Hamartia Anagnorisis Peripeteia Hubris Empathy Towering personality Goodness Tragic hero must die

Characteristics of tragic hero with the example of William Shakespeare's HAMLET

Hamartia : It was the Aristotle who summed up some important characteristics of tragic hero in his book ''Poetics" , while discussing the tragedy. The first characteristic Aristotle discussed in his Poetics is Hamartia. Hamartia means error in judgment. It is also called a tragic flaw.

Example of Hamartia in Hamlet Prince Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet ,falls from his high position and faces his death due to his procrastinating nature.

Anagnorisis Another characteristic that tragic hero must possess is anagnorisis. It is a Greek word which means recognition or discovery. Aristotle used the word anagnorisis to refer to a turning point which enables the tragic hero to discover the truth about the issue.

Example of anagnorisis Prince Hamlet's recognition that the real murderer of his uncle, Claudius, is an example of anagnorisis.

Peripeteia : Peripeteia is another feature of a tragic hero, It means a sudden reversal of fortune or circumstances in the life of tragic hero. Hamlet's condition suddenly change after having come to know about the real murderer of his father. He doesn't pay heed to his beloved, Ophelia, and always thinks about killing Claudius.

Hubris Hubris means excessive pride and arrogance that brings about the fall of a tragic In Oedipus Rex , the tragic flaw in the character of Oedipus is hubris or excessive pride, which brings about his downfall. When he finds the truth that he has killed his father and married his mother , he blinds himself with the brooches of his wife, Jocasta.

Empathy Another feature that Aristotle associates with a tragic hero is empathy or pity and fear . The story of a tragic hero must arouse pity and fear in the readers. Hamlet's conditions at the beginning the play arouse empathy in the readers when he comes to know that the real murderer of his father is his uncle. We think for a moment how difficult it would be if one's uncle murders one's father and marry his mother.

Towering personality An important feature of tragic hero is that he is a towering personality in his state or locality . He hails from elite stratum of society and holds high position in his state. Tragic hero's are king,princes or military generals, who are very important for their states. Hamlet is the prince of Denmark. When Hamlet takes revenge upon the death of his father, he not only kills his uncle but invites his own death the hands of Laertes.

Goodness A tragic hero is an embodiment of goodness and virtue. He must be good and religious minded to such an extent that it may hinder his actions. Hamlet's character is an excellent example in this regard. He is so good that he avoids committing suicide due to his religious nature.

Tragic hero must die A tragic hero must die at the end of the play. A hero becomes tragic when he sacrifices his life for the sake of greater cause. When Hamlet dies, the army of Fortinbras enters Denmark and gets control of affairs of Denmark.

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