1. Antigone

2.  Aristotle was a Greek scholar and philosopher  Wrote ideas about tragedy in a book of literary theory called Poetics.  He outlined the characteristics of a tragic hero, a different type of character from what we know of as a hero.

3.  Character must be of a “high status” in society  He/she must possess nobility and virtue as part of their natural, or innate, character

4.  The character is not perfect  This enables the audience to identify with the character, even though they may be of different social class or economic status.

5.  Called hamartia in greek terms  Typically an error in judgment  Usually a result of hubris= arrogance, pride or overconfidence  Always a result of personal choice  Not the result of destiny

6.  The audience sees that the misfortune of the character is not entirely deserved.  Somehow the character’s punishment for their actions exceeds their crime

7.  The fall of the character is not purely depressing  Something changes or takes place within the character  Awareness, self-knowledge, discovery

8.  The conclusion of the story does not leave the audience depressed  The process arouses unhealthy emotions  The emotions are then cleansed through watching the play  This was not just entertainment, but believe to help the emotional health of the community.