Hubris refers to a personality quality of extreme or excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence, often in combination with (or resulting in) a loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence, accomplishments, or capabilities
. The term originated in Ancient Greek, where it had several different meanings depending on the context, including assault, sexual crimes, theft of public property, emulation of divinity, or transgression against a god
. In literature, hubris is often closely related to hamartia, which is the tragic flaw that leads to a character's reversal of fate and downfall
. Some key aspects of hubris include:
- Excessive pride or overconfidence: Hubris is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance or ability, leading to a person overstepping their limits
- Disregard for consequences: A person with hubris may disregard the potential consequences of their actions, often resulting in their downfall
- Loss of contact with reality: Hubris can lead to a loss of touch with reality, as the person becomes increasingly out of touch with their own abilities and the world around them
Examples of hubris in mythology include the legend of Icarus, who ignored his father's warnings and flew too close to the sun with his artificial wings, causing them to melt and drown in the ocean
. Another example is the story of Niobe, who boasted about her beauty and children, angering the gods and leading to her family's downfall
