Shakespeare - Tragic Heros Essay -- essays research papers

The name " sad hero", which has become synonymous with Shakespearean dramas, was developed before Hamlet, Macbeth or any of Shakespeares well-known plays were written. The literary term was actu anyy discover around 330 BC by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Through his possibility of catharsis, Aristotle debated that the great plays of Sophicles, Euripides, and other Greek playwrights contained sad heroes similar to each other, which all portrayed four basic characteristics ("English Lit."). These qualities were a tragic flaw, or harmartia, they all were from a noble class, with very human personalities, and they all demo their tragedy with dignity. It is not until the late 1500s that Shakespeare began to utilize Aristotles observations in the employment of his many tragedies (Desjardens).&9Probably the most important characteristic of a Shakespearean tragic hero is that nonpareil must posses a tragic flaw, because without the flaw, there would never be a downfall. The ultimate flaw varies from one play to another, King Lears flaw is that of arrogance while Macbeths it one of ambition. Some characters may be guilty of harboring many flaws, manage Othello. Among Othellos wrongs are gullibility and stupidity. In either case, the character never realizes ones flaws until act five, however, by that time it is too late (Desjardens).&9darn the tragic flaw is the key element in a tragedy, the tragic heros social status i...