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Published byLinette Priscilla Miller Modified over 9 years ago
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The Tragic Hero Julius Caesar
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Tragic Hero Background A tragic hero is often used in Shakespearean literature. This model of a hero may not always be a “good guy”. The tragic hero has made its way into more contemporary literature because audiences can relate to them. A tragic hero follows a twelve step pattern.
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What Defines Shakespearean Tragedy? A Tragic Hero The Tragic Flaw-Hamartia Reversal of Fortune Catharsis Restoration of Social Order –Denouement
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Tragic Hero Traits The tragic hero is someone we, as an audience, look up to—someone superior. The tragic hero is nearly perfect, and we identify with him/her The hero has one flaw or weakness We call this the ‘tragic flaw’, ‘fatal flaw’, or hamartia
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Reversal of Fortune The ‘fatal flaw’ brings the hero down from his/her elevated state. Renaissance audiences were familiar with the ‘wheel of fortune’ or ‘fickle fate’. What goes up, must come down.
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Catharsis We get the word ‘catharsis’ from Aristotle’s katharsis. ‘Catharsis’ is the audience’s purging of emotions through pity and fear. The spectator is purged as a result of watching the hero fall. This is why we cry during movies!
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Restoration of Social Order Tragedies include a private and a public element The play cannot end until society is, once again, at peace. This is why the Tragic Hero often dies!
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Tragic Hero Pattern Step 1 – A protagonist of high estate Step 2 – A tragic flaw in character Step 3 – Intrusion of time, sense of urgency Step 4 – Misreading/Rationalizations Step 5 – Murder, exile, alienation of enemies and allies Step 6 – Gradual isolation of Tragic Hero
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Tragic Hero Pattern Step 7 – Mobilization of opposition Step 8 – Recognition of tragic flaw, too late Step 9 – Last courageous attempt to restore greatness. Step 10 – Audience recognizes potential for greatness. Step 11 – Death of tragic hero. Step 12 – Restoration of order.
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Back to the Text Step 1: Sit with your partner Step 2: Read the synopsis together Step 3: Complete the 12 Step Chart by analyzing how the play’s storyline follows the path of the Tragic Hero. FOCUS: Who is the Tragic Hero of Julius Caesar?
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