1. Tragic Hero – What Is It Tragedy was first defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Critics continue to argue about it His definition is not a rule; it is a description of what he believed tragedy was based on observations of Greek drama

2. Function of Tragedy To arouse pity and fear in the audience so that we may be purged, or cleansed, of these unsettling emotions Also known as “ catharsis ” – that sense of emotional release felt after watching a great tragedy.

3. Tragic hero Neither completely good or completely bad Should be someone highly renowned and prosperous – a member of royalty Must fall from tremendous good fortune Tragic flaw – character weakness (pride, ruthless ambition, obsessive jealousy) Must be on some level responsible for his or her own downfall

4. Tragic Hero Recognizes his or her own error and accepts its tragic consequence Does not curse fate or the gods He/she is humbled and enlightened by the tragedy

5. Audience Reaction Audience feels the hero ’ s punishment exceeds the crime Feel the hero/heroine gets more than deserved Feel pity because the hero is a suffering human being who has flaws like us Feel fear because the hero is better than we are and still he failed. What hope can there be for us