English 10 / Unit 6: Drama and Tragedy
6.4 Aristotle and the Tragic Hero
Notes
In the Poetics, the Greek philosopher Aristotle described the elements of tragedy.
- A tragic hero is a person of high status, mostly good, who falls because of a tragic flaw or error (hamartia).
- Hubris is excessive pride, a common tragic flaw.
- Peripeteia is a reversal of fortune. Anagnorisis is the moment of recognition when the hero realizes the truth.
- Catharsis is the emotional release (pity and fear) the audience feels.
- Example: Oedipus's determination to find the truth, and his pride, lead to his downfall; when he recognizes the truth, he blinds himself.
Practice
The moment Oedipus finally realizes who he is and what he has done is the:
Anagnorisis is the tragic hero's recognition of the truth.
A king ignores every warning because he believes no one can defeat him. His flaw is:
Excessive pride is hubris.
According to Aristotle, catharsis refers to:
Tragedy purges the audience's emotions.
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