So… what is aTragic 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

as seen through Romeo

Born of Noble Birth

• Typically a king or member of the royal family

• Someone that normal people would “look up to” or admire – has outstanding qualities

Romeo’s Noble Birth

• Romeo is the only son of the House of Montague.

• Even Lord Capulet says that the city of Verona thinks Romeo is a virtuous youth.

• Also called the Hamartia

• Traditional fatal flaw is hubris, or excessive pride

• Flaw ultimately leads to hero’s downfall, often death

Possesses a Fatal Flaw

Romeo’s Fatal Flaw

• Romeo is a fool for love.

• He pines for Rosaline; then quickly falls for Juliet.

• First enjoys privileged life (remember noble birth!)

• Flaw causes a reversal of fortune called the Peripeteia

• Ultimate fate is a downfall, often death

• Downfall seems moreimpressive due to fallfrom noble position

Fate is controlled by flaw

Romeo’s Peripeteia

• Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona.

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

• Wounds are not entirely deserved

Must be physically or spiritually wounded by

experiences

Romeo’s Fate

• Romeo killed Tybalt because Tybalt killed Mercutio.

• Romeo acted on the what the Prince’s law would have dealt to Tybalt.

• Downfall or death is usually seen as a waste of human potential

• Suffering always has greater meaning, often related to the flaw

Suffers more than he deserves

Romeo Suffers

• Romeo’s banishment causes him pain because he cannot be with Juliet.

• Actions result in an increase of self-awareness and self-knowledge

• Fate is discovered by his own actions, not things happening to him

Bears no responsibility for flaw, only for actions

influenced by flaw

• Downfall is a result of free choice

Romeo’s Choice

• Romeo claims to be “fortune’s fool.”

• He plans to take his poison.

• Has outstanding quality or greatness, but audience must identify with him

• Are YOU perfect?

• Without imperfections,downfall would seem improbable or caused by fate only.

Imperfect or “human” despite noble nature

Romeo’s Imperfection

• Romeo is too rash. He falls in love too quickly, and acts too quickly to end his own life (remember--Juliet is not dead).

• Audience feels pity for hero because flaw is not his fault, so downfall seems undeserved

• Audience feels fear because they can identify with hero’s thoughts and actions

“Wait…this could happen to me!”

Downfall arouses pity or fear

Pitiful Romeo

“Never was there a story of more woe

Than that of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Tragic Hero Recap

• Noble Birth

• Hamartia (Fatal Flaw)

• Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)

• Suffering

• Downfall

• Catharsis (Release of Emotions)