The Tragic Hero or “Humpty Dumpty” Revisited Adapted from Sharon Thomason

Classical Definition The hero must be of a high stature, for example, a member of royalty … someone in a lofty position. The hero must be of a high stature, for example, a member of royalty … someone in a lofty position. The hero must have a TRAGIC FLAW, such as HUBRIS (too much pride), too much ambition, too stubborn, too greedy, etc. The hero must have a TRAGIC FLAW, such as HUBRIS (too much pride), too much ambition, too stubborn, too greedy, etc. The tragic flaw must cause the hero’s downfall. It’s his/her OWN FAULT. The tragic flaw must cause the hero’s downfall. It’s his/her OWN FAULT. The downfall (destruction) must be complete. The downfall (destruction) must be complete. The audience must learn a lesson from the hero’s downfall, i.e., “I must be careful not to be too ____ like the hero was!!!” The audience must learn a lesson from the hero’s downfall, i.e., “I must be careful not to be too ____ like the hero was!!!”

“Humpty Dumpty” Written to teach English schoolchildren the meaning of tragedy, the nursery rhyme illustrates the classical definition of a tragic hero. Written to teach English schoolchildren the meaning of tragedy, the nursery rhyme illustrates the classical definition of a tragic hero. Let’s take a look at how the familiar old egg fits the definition! Let’s take a look at how the familiar old egg fits the definition!

High Stature; Lofty Position The hero must be of a high stature, for example, a member of royalty … someone in a lofty position. The hero must be of a high stature, for example, a member of royalty … someone in a lofty position. Let’s see …. Let’s see …. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.” That’s a lofty position all right! That’s a lofty position all right!

Tragic Flaw If YOU were an egg, would you sit high up on a wall? No? Why not? Why, you’d just be ASKING for trouble, wouldn’t you? If YOU were an egg, would you sit high up on a wall? No? Why not? Why, you’d just be ASKING for trouble, wouldn’t you? Yet here’s ol’ Humpty, and look how SMUG he is. He’s too arrogant to think anything bad could possibly happen to HIM. Yet here’s ol’ Humpty, and look how SMUG he is. He’s too arrogant to think anything bad could possibly happen to HIM. That’s his TRAGIC FLAW. He’s WAY too cocky for his own good!!! That’s his TRAGIC FLAW. He’s WAY too cocky for his own good!!!

Downfall “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.” Well, DUH! Eggs are rounded on the bottom; they don’t sit on anything for long! Humpty was so arrogant (TRAGIC FLAW) he didn’t think that could happen to HIM! It’s HIS OWN FAULT!!!

Total Destruction “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again!” Of COURSE they couldn’t! What happens to an egg when it hits the ground? SPLAT!!!!! Of COURSE they couldn’t! What happens to an egg when it hits the ground? SPLAT!!!!!

Lesson Learned Ah-ha!!! If I’m ever an egg, I will NEVER be ARROGANT enough to think that I could sit way up high on a wall. I’ve learned from Humpty’s story that that’s just ASKING for trouble!!! Ah-ha!!! If I’m ever an egg, I will NEVER be ARROGANT enough to think that I could sit way up high on a wall. I’ve learned from Humpty’s story that that’s just ASKING for trouble!!!

Application to World Lit Who are the tragic heroes in the readings we have done? Is it Han from OTH, one of the Mirabal sisters, Victor Frankenstein, The Creature or Macbeth? Could it be all of the them / none of them? Who are the tragic heroes in the readings we have done? Is it Han from OTH, one of the Mirabal sisters, Victor Frankenstein, The Creature or Macbeth? Could it be all of the them / none of them? See if each meets all of the criteria for the classical definition of a tragic hero. See if each meets all of the criteria for the classical definition of a tragic hero.

Ask Yourself…. What is HIS / HER stature or position? Is he/she a royal figure or high ranking person? What is HIS / HER stature or position? Is he/she a royal figure or high ranking person? What is HIS/HER tragic flaw? How do you know? What is HIS/HER tragic flaw? How do you know? Does he/she cause his/her OWN downfall? How? Does he/she cause his/her OWN downfall? How? Is his/her downfall or destruction COMPLETE? Why? Is his/her downfall or destruction COMPLETE? Why? Do we learn a lesson from this? What is the lesson? Do we learn a lesson from this? What is the lesson?

Write Your Response Start with a topic sentence: ___ is/are (a) tragic hero(es) of World Literature. Start with a topic sentence: ___ is/are (a) tragic hero(es) of World Literature. Answer each of the five questions we’ve examined for the characters you are examining Answer each of the five questions we’ve examined for the characters you are examining Provide evidence from the readings in your argument. Provide evidence from the readings in your argument. Proofread your writing CAREFULLY. Proofread your writing CAREFULLY. Type and turn in to turnitin.com Type and turn in to turnitin.com