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14216 M_Ashiq Assignment no 02 Criticism Lecture 07 summary

Aristotle's concept of the tragic hero describes a noble character whose flaws lead to their downfall, evoking emotions of pity and fear in the audience. Key elements include hamartia (tragic flaw), peripeteia (reversal of fortune), and anagnorisis (moment of recognition), which contribute to the emotional catharsis experienced by viewers. This archetype remains relevant in both classical and modern literature, illustrating the complexities of human nature and moral dilemmas.

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14216 M_Ashiq Assignment no 02 Criticism Lecture 07 summary

Aristotle's concept of the tragic hero describes a noble character whose flaws lead to their downfall, evoking emotions of pity and fear in the audience. Key elements include hamartia (tragic flaw), peripeteia (reversal of fortune), and anagnorisis (moment of recognition), which contribute to the emotional catharsis experienced by viewers. This archetype remains relevant in both classical and modern literature, illustrating the complexities of human nature and moral dilemmas.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Ashiq
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Subject — Criticism.

Instructor — Sir Rehman Ullah. Program — Bs English.


Assignment title:
Summary:
Write summary of Lecture 07 and then upload it as assignment

Submitted by Muhammad Ashiq.


Student ID — 14216
Assignment No — 02

Date 21/03/2025.
Tittle — Summary:
Write a summary of Lecture 07.
Summary of Aristotle’s Tragic Hero:
Introduction:
Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers of ancient Greece,
introduced the concept of the tragic hero in his famous work Poetics. He
defined tragedy as “the imitation of an action that is serious, complete,
and of a certain magnitude.” A tragic hero is a character of noble stature
who possesses a flaw that leads to their downfall. This journey evokes
emotions of pity and fear, making the audience reflect on human nature,
fate, and morality.

Definition of a Tragic Hero:


A tragic hero, as per Aristotle, is the protagonist of a tragedy who is
neither entirely good nor entirely evil but has a flaw that leads to their
ultimate downfall. Typically of noble birth, they hold a high status in
society. However, due to a fatal flaw (hamartia), they make a serious
mistake, causing their suffering. Their tragedy is not solely caused by
fate but by their own actions and choices, making their downfall
relatable and deeply human.

Aristotle’s Six Elements of Tragedy:


Aristotle identified six key elements of tragedy — plot, character,
thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. Among these, plot and
character are the most crucial. The plot must follow a logical sequence
of events, leading to the tragic hero’s downfall. The character must be
realistic and evoke catharsis, which refers to the emotional release the
audience experiences.

Key Characteristics of a Tragic Hero:


A tragic hero has several defining characteristics:
o Noble Birth — The tragic hero is of noble birth or holds a high
position in society.
o Hamartia (Tragic Flaw) — The hero has a flaw or error in
judgment that leads to their downfall.
o Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune) — The hero experiences a drastic
change from good fortune to bad, often due to their own actions.
o Anagnorisis (Moment of Recognition) — The hero experiences a
moment of realization when they understand their role in their
downfall, but this comes too late.
o Catharsis — The hero’s downfall leads to emotional purification
for the audience, evoking pity and fear.

Hamartia — The Tragic Flaw:


Hamartia refers to the tragic flaw or error in judgment that causes the
hero’s downfall. This flaw can take many forms, such as excessive pride
(hubris), ambition, impulsiveness, or misplaced trust. The flaw is not
necessarily evil; often, it is an exaggerated version of a positive trait that
eventually leads to the hero’s destruction.

Peripeteia — The Reversal of Fortune:


Peripeteia is the moment when the hero’s fortune changes dramatically,
usually from good to bad. This reversal happens as a result of the hero’s
own actions, making their downfall feel inevitable and tragic. The shift
in fortune intensifies the emotional impact of the story.

Anagnorisis — The Moment of Recognition:


Anagnorisis is the moment when the tragic hero realizes the truth about
their situation. They understand how their own actions and flaws led to
their downfall. However, this recognition usually comes too late to
prevent their tragic fate, adding depth and poignancy to their character.

Catharsis — Emotional Purification:


One of the key goals of a tragic hero’s journey is to provoke catharsis in
the audience. Through the hero’s suffering, the audience experiences
intense emotions of pity and fear. This emotional release leads to
catharsis, providing the audience with a sense of emotional cleansing or
enlightenment.

Examples of Tragic Heroes in Literature:


Several literary characters fit Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero:
o Oedipus (Oedipus Rex by Sophocles) — Oedipus’s relentless
pursuit of the truth leads to his tragic downfall.
o Hamlet (Hamlet by William Shakespeare) — Hamlet’s
indecisiveness and obsession with revenge lead to his tragic death.
o Macbeth (Macbeth by William Shakespeare) — Macbeth’s
unchecked ambition brings about his destruction.
o Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller) — A
modern tragic hero whose illusions of success and refusal to face
reality lead to his demise.
o Oedipus — The Classic Tragic Hero
o Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, is
considered the ideal tragic hero. He is a noble king who
unknowingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and
marry his mother. His hamartia is his determination to uncover the
truth, which leads to his tragic downfall. His anagnorisis occurs
when he learns his true identity, and the catharsis comes from
seeing him suffer and ultimately exile himself.

Shakespearean Tragic Heroes:


Shakespeare’s tragedies also feature tragic heroes. For example,
Hamlet’s indecisiveness leads to his tragic end, while Macbeth’s
overwhelming ambition destroys him. King Lear suffers from his
inability to see the truth and makes decisions that lead to his downfall.
These characters show how Aristotle’s concept of a tragic hero is
timeless.

The Modern Tragic Hero:


While Aristotle’s tragic hero originated in Greek drama, modern
literature adapts this archetype to contemporary stories. Characters like
Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman and Jay Gatsby from The Great
Gatsby are examples of modern tragic heroes. Though they are not of
noble birth, their flaws, choices, and inevitable downfalls still evoke
catharsis, showing the relevance of Aristotle’s ideas today.
Comparison — Classical vs. Modern Tragic Heroes:
Traditional tragic heroes, such as Oedipus and Macbeth, are often kings
or important figures whose downfalls affect entire nations. Modern
tragic heroes, like Willy Loman or Jay Gatsby, tend to be ordinary
individuals whose struggles reflect societal issues. Classical heroes often
face fate-driven tragedies, while modern heroes suffer due to internal
conflicts, social pressures, or personal failures. Despite these
differences, both types of tragic heroes evoke pity and fear in their
audiences.

Why Aristotle’s Tragic Hero Still Matters:


The concept of the tragic hero is still important in literature, film, and
theater today. It allows audiences to explore human flaws, moral
dilemmas, and the consequences of choices. By studying tragic heroes,
we learn about the complexities of human nature and universal themes
like fate, free will, and redemption. Whether in ancient plays,
Shakespeare’s works, or modern stories, the tragic hero remains a
powerful tool in storytelling.

Conclusion:
Aristotle’s tragic hero is a character who, despite their greatness, falls
due to their own flaws. Their downfall, driven by their own actions,
teaches valuable lessons about human nature, morality, and fate. The
tragic hero continues to be an enduring figure in storytelling,
demonstrating that even the most powerful individuals are vulnerable to
their own weaknesses.

********************END*********************

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