Macbeth-+Tragic+Hero+according+to+Aristotle+&+Shakespeare's+Tragic+Hero

** Element 1- The Tragic Hero ** 1. Tragic heroes are exceptional beings. They are from a high estate (noble and respected). The tragic hero carries a touch of greatness and fierce determination, which stirs not only sympathy and pity, but also admiration, terror, and awe. 2. Tragic heroes contribute to their own destruction by acts in which the reader sees a flaw in their character. ** Element 2- The Tragic Flaw ** Hamartia (Greek) - In a tragedy, the quality within the Tragic Hero or heroine which leads to his or her downfall. Examples- Macbeth’s obsession with power, Othello’s jealousy Hamlet’s indecisiveness The flaw often takes the form of obsession. ** Element 3- The Tragic “Story” ** Plot 1. The tragic story leads up to, and includes, the death of the hero. 2. The suffering and calamities that befall the hero are unusual and exceptionally disastrous. Tragedy, Human Flaws, and Responsibility ** Element 4- The Abnormal, The Supernatural, Fate/Fortune/Chance ** Shakespeare also introduces the supernatural: ghosts and witches who have supernatural knowledge Shakespeare, in most tragedies, allows “chance” in some form to influence some of the action. Men may start a course of events but can neither calculate nor control it, is a tragic fact. ** Element 5-Tragic Conflicts ** The action of the protagonist/tragic hero is most often motivated by external and internal conflicts, which lead to complications from which further conflicts arise- all in a kind of snowballing effect, driving the action toward a tragic resolution. // External Conflict // Involving other people or events // Internal Conflict // Shakespeare’s tragic hero, though he pursues his fated way, is, at some point, torn by an inward struggle. ** Element 6- The Tragic Pattern **
 * __Shakespearian tragedy and the Shakespearian tragic hero __**
 * Usually there is only one tragic hero
 * Only Great Men are Tragic Heroes
 * The calamities of tragedy proceed mainly from actions, and those, the action of men.
 * Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are responsible for the calamity of their falls.
 * 1) 1. A man of high estate- A king, a prince, a general
 * 2) 2. A flaw of character- Within the first two acts, the reader will become aware of the Tragic Hero’s obsession.


 * 1) 3. Intrusion of time and a sense of urgency- As the inner and outer conflicts intensify, the reader sees the Tragic Hero’s actions snowball to his final demise. (Act 3)
 * 2) 4. Misreadings and Rationalizations- The occurrence of the third element will increase the Tragic Hero’s urgency. The Tragic Hero operates on what he believes to be the case rather than what he actually knows to be the case.


 * 1) 5. Murder, exile, alienation of enemies and allies- Brought on by new conflicts
 * 2) 6. Gradual Isolation of the Tragic Hero- Brought on by new conflicts, which forces the Tragic Hero to face the responsibility for his actions alone.


 * 1) 7. Mobilisation of the opposition- The stage will occur when the opposing forces mobilise against the Tragic Hero to bring the tragedy to his conclusion. Often, the Tragic Hero is confronted by an enemy in the fifth act who has a good reason for seeking his death.
 * 2) 8. Tragic recognition of the Flaw by the Tragic Hero: too late- At the point of number 7, the Tragic Hero realizes his error. The Tragic Hero must accept responsibility for what has happened.


 * 1) 9. Last courageous attempt to restore lost honor.
 * 2) 10. Audience recognizes potential for greatness- This occurs when the Tragic Hero shows the audience the nobility of his heart, and the audience recognizes his loss as a waste.


 * 1) 11. Death of the Tragic Hero
 * 2) 12. Restoration of order