Michael Jordan
The Characteristics of an Archetypal Tragic Hero
1. Noble stature Tragedy involves the “fall” of a tragic hero. One theory suggests that the tragic hero must have a desirable/higher/lofty position to fall on, or else there is no tragedy (just pathos). Another explanation of this characteristic is that tragedies involving people of stature affect the lives of others. For example, in the case of a king, the tragedy would not only involve the individual and his family, but it would involve the whole society, as well.
2. Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): The tragic hero must “fall” due to some flaw in his own personality. The most common tragic flaw is hubris (excessive pride). A person/character who tries to attain too much possesses hubris.
3. Free Choice: There is often a discussion of the role of fate in the downfall of a tragic hero, however, there must be an element of choice in order for there to be a true tragedy. The tragic hero falls because he chooses on course of action over another.
4. The Punishment Exceeds the Crime: The audience must not be left feeling that the tragic hero go what he deserved. Part of what makes the action “tragic” is to witness the injustice of what has occurred to the tragic hero.
5. Hero has Increased Awareness: It is crucial that the tragic hero come to some sort of an understanding of what went or of what was really going on before he/she comes to his/her end. Sometimes there is an exact moment of recognition (awareness or anagnorisis) that the hero’s actions or thoughts have led to his/her downfall.
6. Produces Catharsis in Audience: Catharsis is a feeling of “purging emotions” that an audience feels after witnessing the struggle of a tragic hero. We feel emotionally drained, but feel a sense of letting these emotions go,
1. Noble stature Tragedy involves the “fall” of a tragic hero. One theory suggests that the tragic hero must have a desirable/higher/lofty position to fall on, or else there is no tragedy (just pathos). Another explanation of this characteristic is that tragedies involving people of stature affect the lives of others. For example, in the case of a king, the tragedy would not only involve the individual and his family, but it would involve the whole society, as well.
2. Tragic Flaw (Hamartia): The tragic hero must “fall” due to some flaw in his own personality. The most common tragic flaw is hubris (excessive pride). A person/character who tries to attain too much possesses hubris.
3. Free Choice: There is often a discussion of the role of fate in the downfall of a tragic hero, however, there must be an element of choice in order for there to be a true tragedy. The tragic hero falls because he chooses on course of action over another.
4. The Punishment Exceeds the Crime: The audience must not be left feeling that the tragic hero go what he deserved. Part of what makes the action “tragic” is to witness the injustice of what has occurred to the tragic hero.
5. Hero has Increased Awareness: It is crucial that the tragic hero come to some sort of an understanding of what went or of what was really going on before he/she comes to his/her end. Sometimes there is an exact moment of recognition (awareness or anagnorisis) that the hero’s actions or thoughts have led to his/her downfall.
6. Produces Catharsis in Audience: Catharsis is a feeling of “purging emotions” that an audience feels after witnessing the struggle of a tragic hero. We feel emotionally drained, but feel a sense of letting these emotions go,