1. So… what is a Tragic Hero anyway?
Born of noble birth
Fatal flaw – personality and/or judgment
Fate controlled by fatal flaw
Must suffer more than he/she deserves
Must be doomed from the start, but bears no responsibility for possessing flaw
Noble in nature but imperfect (human)
Must have discovered fate by own actions
Story should arouse fear and empathy (could happen to someone
Must be physically/spiritually wounded by experiences, often resulting in death

2. Tragic Hero Background
“A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Aristotle
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.

3. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero as seen through Romeo

4. Born of Noble Birth Typically a king or member of the royal family
Someone that normal people would “look up to” or admire – has outstanding qualities

5. Romeo’s Noble Birth Romeo is the only son of the House of Montague.
Even Lord Capulet says that the city of Verona thinks Romeo is a virtuous youth.

6. Possesses a Fatal Flaw Also called the Hamartia
Traditional fatal flaw is hubris, or excessive pride
Flaw ultimately leads to hero’s downfall, often death

7. Romeo’s Fatal Flaw Romeo is a fool for love.
He pines for Rosaline; then quickly falls for Juliet.

8. Fate is controlled by flaw
First enjoys privileged life (remember noble birth!)
Flaw causes a reversal of fortune called the Peripeteia
Ultimate fate is a downfall, often death
Downfall seems more impressive due to fall from noble position

9. Romeo’s Peripeteia
Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona.

10. Must be physically or spiritually wounded by experiences
May be injured, or may suffer losses of family or fortune
Wounds are not entirely deserved

11. Romeo’s Fate Romeo killed Tybalt because Tybalt killed Mercutio.
Romeo acted on the what the Prince’s law would have dealt to Tybalt.

12. Suffers more than he deserves
Downfall or death is usually seen as a waste of human potential
Suffering always has greater meaning, often related to the flaw

13. Romeo Suffers
Romeo’s banishment causes him pain because he cannot be with Juliet.

14. Bears no responsibility for flaw, only for actions influenced by flaw
Actions result in an increase of self-awareness and self-knowledge
Fate is discovered by his own actions, not things happening to him
Downfall is a result of free choice

15. Romeo’s Choice Romeo claims to be “fortune’s fool.”
He plans to take his poison.

16. Imperfect or “human” despite noble nature
Has outstanding quality or greatness, but audience must identify with him
Are YOU perfect?
Without imperfections, downfall would seem improbable or caused by fate only.

17. Romeo’s Imperfection
Romeo is too rash. He falls in love too quickly, and acts too quickly to end his own life (remember--Juliet is not dead).

18. Downfall arouses pity or fear
Audience feels pity for hero because flaw is not his fault, so downfall seems undeserved
Audience feels fear because they can identify with hero’s thoughts and actions
“Wait…this could happen to me!”

19. Pitiful Romeo
“Never was there a story of more woe Than that of Juliet and her Romeo.”

20. Tragic Hero Recap Noble Birth Hamartia (Fatal Flaw)
Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)
Suffering
Downfall
Catharsis (Release of Emotions)