A tragic hero is a type of character in a tragedy, usually the protagonist, who has heroic or noble traits but also a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to their downfall. The concept of the tragic hero was first defined by Aristotle in his Poetics, where he described the tragic hero as a virtuous but flawed individual who commits great wrongs or injuries without evil intent, leading to their misfortune. The Aristotelian tragic hero is characterized as virtuous but not "eminently good," suggesting a noble or important personage who is upstanding and morally inclined while still subject to human error. The tragic heros downfall emotionally engages the audience or reader and invokes their pity and fear.
Some common characteristics of a tragic hero include:
- Heroic or noble traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience
- A fatal flaw, such as pride or excessive curiosity, that leads to their downfall
- A reversal of fortune, where the hero goes from a position of power to one of suffering or defeat
- A tragic realization of the true nature of events that led to their destiny
Tragic heroes are often imperfect or wounded with some sort of internal conflict, but they are typically well-intentioned people with a solid moral compass. They start their story doing well, but their fatal flaw ultimately leads to their demise, whether literal (i.e. death) or metaphorical (losing their position or reputation, for example) .
