1. Tragedy Archetype Anatomy of a hero Tragedy, as Aristotle and Shakespeare envisioned it, traces a hero’s response to life’s problems, even in the face of utter failure.

2. PLOT Good character goes bad due to tragic flaw that leads to downfall Often an example of dramatic irony as the audience knows that it will see a story that is not ending well for the protagonist

3. Setting Often set in a dark place, to reflect the emotional state of the protagonist Often Autumn/sunset, where the natural world reflects the decline of the hero

4. Theme All men have within them the power to destroy themselves—and life lessons can be learned by examining those who fall before us

5. Character: (according to Aristotle) Hero falls from a high social position Hero moves from happiness to misery over the course of the story Character arouses pity and fear in the viewer This is called… CATHARISIS- the purging of these emotions Hero Is a “good” character by his/her society’s standards S/He has been living with ARETE-Greek concept of living life to its full potential without hubris Main character faces his/her fate with courage and nobility of spirit

6. Character (cont’d) Hero makes a choice that causes downfall HAMARTIA- -the key trait/weakness that causes downfall Examples of Hamartia: HUBRIS-pride, ambition, willful ignorance, inherited weakness, choice that led to fall Greeks believed Tragic Hero must NOT die, but must suffer for his mistake and pass on the lesson. Shakespeare-believe that death fullfilled the tragedy, so he killed his heroes Hero changes from ignorance to enlightenment (anagnorisis)