So… what is a

Tragic Hero
anyway?
Tragic Hero Background
“A man cannot become a hero until he
can see the root of his own downfall.”
-Aristotle

The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not

an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding
quality and greatness about him. His own
destruction is for a greater cause or principle.
Characteristics of a Tragic Hero
1. Noble Background
• Often (but not always) a member of a royal family,
or a higher social class
• Someone that normal people would “look up to”
or admire – has outstanding qualities
 2. Imperfect or “human”
despite noble nature
• Has outstanding quality or greatness, but audience must identify with
him

• Without imperfections,
downfall would seem
unlikely
 3. Possesses a Fatal Flaw
• Also called the Hamartia
• Traditional fatal flaw is hubris, or excessive pride but there can be
many others
• Flaw ultimately leads to hero’s downfall, often death
 4. The hero's downfall is partially
her/his own fault
• Downfall is a result of free will/choice, NOT villainy or accident
• We don’t blame the character for the fatal flaw, only the decisions
made or actions

that result from

the flaw.
 5. Punishment exceeds the crime

• May be injured, or may suffer losses of family or fortune

• Wounds are not entirely deserved
6. The fall is not pure loss…
• Downfall or death is usually
seen as a waste of human
potential
• Suffering always has greater
meaning
• Greater lesson learned
Your essay must have…
• A well written intro and conclusion
• A clear thesis statement
• An in-depth analysis based on three criteria
• Creative and convincing arguments
• Specific and pertinent examples from the novel to
prove your ideas.
• Direct quotes or paraphrases along with page
numbers
 Writing the Perfect Thesis:
An Equation
LITERARY SPECIFIC
TITLE OF THE
DEVICE ASSERTION
TEXT

(properly + (used to focus

your essay so
+ (creates an entry
point for your
underlined if it is
it is not too readers; the “so
a novel)
broad) what?”)

=
The perfect thesis!
It does not matter what order these elements
go in, as long as they are included
 Conclusion
• Basic structure for your conclusion
• Restate or rephrase your thesis
• Summarize (but don’t explain) your main ideas
• Summarize your final thoughts
• DO NOT end with “This was my essay and I hope you
enjoyed it…” or any similar phrase. It is too casual for
formal writing.