1. THE 4 STAGES OF TRAGEDY High Status (Good Reputation) Hamartia (Tragic Flaw) Nemesis (Punishment) Wisdom

2. High Status Protagonist (Tragic Hero) is usually a king or a prince or other high-ranking person in society

3. Hamartia Tragic Hero (the protagonist) has a “hamartia,” or “tragic flaw” – fundamental character weakness, such as...  Excessive (too much) pride – “Hubris”  Excessive Ambition  Excessive Jealousy

4. Nemesis Nemesis = Greek goddess of Retribution (consequence or punishment) Because the Tragic Hero is not aware of his/her flaw, the gods punish him/her. Hero’s tragic flaw is the reason for his/her own downfall (Nemesis)

5. Wisdom Wisdom =  Recognizing & admitting one’s own flaw  Gaining Sophrosyne By the end of the play, the Hero recognizes and admits his/her tragic flaw and becomes HUMBLE

6. Lance Armstrong as Tragic Hero? High Status?  Won Tour De France 7 times, beloved by fans Hamartia / Tragic Flaw?  Ambition, Hubris (“Arrogance”) Nemesis / Punishment?  Doping scandal, fall from public opinion Wisdom?  “My ruthless desire to win at all costs served me well on the bike, but the level it went to … is a flaw. That desire, that attitude, that arrogance.”