1. Journal 21: Tragic Heroes & Classical Tragedy
Learning Targets:
Students will be able to identify what makes a character a tragic hero
Students will be able to identify a character as a tragic hero and identify their Tragic Flaw.
Students will be aware of, and able to define, Classical Tragedy, catharsis, and Hubris.
Students will be able to connect these terms to Things Fall Apart.

2. Classical Tragedy
Classical Tragedy: is a genre of drama based terrible events and human suffering (of the hero) that causes catharsis for the audience. This tradition comes from the Ancient Greeks.
The hero in a Classical Tragedy is plagued by a tragic flaw that keeps him or her from solving their problem– or leads them to creating the problem in the first place.
The hero will have many opportunities to overcome their flaw but never be able to.
Often involves dramatic irony.
Modern examples of tragedy often change the rules somewhat.

3. Why do people like depressing stories, music, etc.?

4. Catharsis (a feeling)
Catharsis is when the audience feels intense pity or sadness about the contents or characters of literature and plays that results in the audience feeling happier or refreshed afterword. Aristotle argued that tragedy cleansed the heart through pity and terror, purging us of our petty concerns and worries by making us aware that there can be nobility in suffering. In your own words: describe what Catharsis emotionally feels like. Have you felt this?

5. Archetype: Tragic Hero
Review: What is an Archetype? The main character of a Classical Tragedy is the Tragic Hero. Author Oscar Wilde in his book A Picture of Dorian Gray on the reason we like the Tragic Hero:

6. Why viewers like the Tragic Hero:
"He was like one of those gracious figures in a pageant or a play, whose joys seem to be remote from one, but whose sorrows stir one's sense of beauty, and whose wounds are like roses."
--Oscar Wilde

7. Tragic Hero Traits
A character whose fate matters, figuratively (through symbolism) or literally, to a nation or people.
A character who challenges fate; struggles against supernatural forces or doom.
A character who has a tragic flaw
A character who fails in the end; they make choices that bring about their destruction and/or fate prevent success.
A character who develops deeper self-knowledge through suffering.

8. Archetype: Tragic Hero
The character who usually goes on a quest.
The character has both good and bad in his personality.
Can be protagonists or antagonists (“good guy” or “bad guy”)

9. Common Tragic Flaws (personality flaws)
Hubris: excessive pride or confidence or (for the Greeks going against the gods)
Ambition: the desire to achieve greatness or status
Indecisiveness: failing to make a choice quick enough for fear of being wrong
Misplaced-Trust: the hero trusts the wrong people despite evidence they should not
Lack of Self-control: the character is unable to control their emotions, behavior, reactions, and desires

10. Examples: Tragic Heroes
Books You’ll Read at SHS:
John Proctor, The Crucible– 11th grade
Oedipus Rex, Oedipus Rex– 12th grade [elective]
Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Juliet– 9th grade
Popular Media:
Walter White, Breaking Bad
Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episodes I, II, & III
Harvey Dent (Two-Face), Batman: The Dark Knight
Jax Teller, Sons of Anarchy
Hamlet, Hamlet

11. Okonkwo, Tragic Hero?

12. Okonkwo, Tragic Hero? Tragic Hero Trait Okonkwo
A character whose fate matters, figuratively, to a nation or people.
A character who challenges fate; struggles against supernatural forces or doom.
A character who has a tragic flaw
A character who fails in the end; they make choices that bring about their destruction and/or fate prevent success.
A character who develops deeper self-knowledge through suffering
The character who usually goes on a quest.
The character has both good and bad in his personality.

13. HW: Create your own tragic hero + infographic!
Illustrate (draw/create) and annotate (label) a tragic hero of your own!
Must include 6-7 of the tragic hero traits and 1 tragic flaw
Make it pretty so I can hang them up in the room
Graded on effort and comprehension of tragic hero traits.

14. Example: Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader
Tragic Flaw: Hubris and misplaced trust.
Involves dramatic irony & struggles against his fate:
Because #4-6 came out before #1-3, audiences know Anakin Skywalker is destined to become Darth Vader, yet he struggles against his fate.
Develops deeper self-knowledge through suffering: Darth Vader realizes his mistakes and failures upon being ordered to kill his son, Luke Skywalker.