1. Tragedy

2. What is a tragedy?
A tragedy is a type of drama (a play) which depicts action that is serious and complete.
It leads to the downfall and suffering of the ___________ (main character).
It is the opposite of _______.

3. Tragedy’s leading man
Tragic hero: a literary character who has a fatal flaw or makes an error of judgment, combined with fate and external forces; he experiences a downfall/death

4. Elements of a Tragic Hero
He is not an ordinary man; he is “great.”
He is good, but not perfect.
His downfall is his own fault.
His punishment outweighs his crime.
His downfall/death is not a total loss; he and others gain some insight as a result.

5. Tragedy’s Greek “buzz” words
Hamartia: the “flaw” or excess quality that causes the protagonist’s downfall
Hubris: pride; the protagonist believes that he is somehow above the will of the gods/fate
Catharsis: the release of emotions one feels after reading/watching a tragedy