The Tragic Hero [Compatibility Mode]

THE TRAGIC HERO
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.
WHAT DEFINES SHAKESPEAREAN
TRAGEDY?
• The Tragic Flaw-Hamartia
• Reversal of Fortune
• Catharsis
• Restoration of Social Order –Denouement
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
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.
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!
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!
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
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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.
THE ANTI-HERO
• The concept of an Anti-Hero is often used in darker
literature.
• The Anti-Hero is being used more in modern
literature as authors try to portray villains as
complex characters
• An Anti-Hero relates to a reader because the AntiHero displays more humanity that a regular Hero.
• Instead of a standard tragic flaw an Anti-Hero may
try to do what is right by using questionable means.
ANTI-HERO TRAITS
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Anti-Heroes can be obnoxious.
Anti-Heroes can be pitiful.
Anti-Heroes can be awkward.
Anti-Heroes can be passive.
BACK TO THE TEXT
Step 1: Get into a group of 5-6 people
Step 2: Assign one person to be the scribe for your
group
Step 3: Answer the following questions with textual
support and analysis from acts 1 and 2 from Othello
• Is Brutus the tragic hero?
• List reasons for yes, and reasons for no.
• Is there an anti-hero?