1. The Tragic Hero

2. 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. 

3. What Defines Shakespearean Tragedy?
A Tragic Hero 
The Tragic Flaw-Hamartia
Reversal of Fortune
Catharsis
Restoration of Social Order –Denouement

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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!

8. Tragic Hero Pattern Step 1 – A protagonist of high estate
 Step 2 – A tragic flaw in character 
Step 3 – Intrusion of time, sense or urgency
 Step 4 – Misreading/Rationalizations
Step 5 – Murder, exile, alienation of enemies and allies
Step 6 – Gradual isolation of Tragic Hero

9. 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.