1. Begin a new section in your logbook: “Tragedy Overview”
Notes required!
Begin a new section in your logbook: “Tragedy Overview”

2. TRAGEDY Tragedy: popular type of play in Ancient Greece Tragic Hero:
the protagonist of a tragedy
Not entirely good or bad, but blind to his/her flaws (doesn’t “know” him/herself)

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

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

5. 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

6. Nemesis Nemesis = Greek goddess of Retribution (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)

7. 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

8. Popular Tragedies?

9. 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.”