A tragic hero is virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy that is destined for a downfall. The hero learns from his mistakes and is the protagonist in the story. To be a tragic hero the character must display the elements of a Greek tragedy. In the play ‘Antigone' by Sophocles, Creon forbids Polynices to be buried because he fought with his brother for the throne and wanted the throne to destroy Thebes. Antigone; Polynices sister tries to bury him and Creon has her captured for a punishment.
King Lear is the title character of the play, so it is obvious he is pretty important. And in the play, he definitely knows it. This is evidenced by his inflated sense of self; he has such an ego that he wants to hear his daughters profess their love for him, saying “Which of you shall we say doth love us most,” (Act I Scene I Line 51) and when one refuses, disowns her, as well as banishing his best friend for disagreeing with him. However, these rash actions suggest something more to me. I think that inside, Lear is insecure.
Macbeth is portrayed as a "good being" because he fought for his country and for his king. Shakespeare also describes Macbeth in such quotes as "for brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name" (pg. 38, line 16), and "What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won."(pg. 40 line 67). However As the play progresses, Macbeth's personality and actions become more deceitful leading to his destruction.
And later on in the same scene he says to Barbantio, “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.” Othello is a highly esteemed man who commands the respect of everyone he meets. He is obviously a man held in high statue, which will make for an interesting fall from grace. Othello is very much in love with his wife at the beginning of the play, and seems to treat her with love and compassion. Only after he becomes consumed with jealousy and anger by the manipulation of someone else does he start to turn on her. “It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me.
What is your view on the matter?'' The protagonist and tragic hero of Othello has many pleasant attributes that contribute to his position and the level of respect and admiration he once receives from the Venetian society. A war general, the audience witnesses Othello's death as the play's ''tragic hero'', though not in the name of war, nor for any cause that is initially expected. Demonstrating his comprehensive approach to human emotion, Shakespeare reveals the cause of Othello's tragic downfall by making the audience aware of Othello's predisposition to insecurities and destructive jealousy, and finally his ground-breaking, fateful decision to place confidence in the one individual who acts upon his every weakness to destroy him. The audience is caused to fear Othello's transformation into the ''green-eyed'' monster, then pity him when he claims his title in blood.
Antigone was also doomed from the beginning. She was doomed from the beginning despite her noble intentions to bury her dead brother. Antigone from the play “Antigone”, by Sophocles, is a tragic her because she exhibits all the qualities of a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a protagonist in a tragedy who must have a tragic flaw. Antigone from the play “Antigone” indeed does have a tragic flaw.
Hamartia, which is a fatal or tragic flaw in the hero. Anagnorisis, which is recognition of the hero’s mistakes, and Catharsis, which is when the audience is purged of all negative emotions towards the hero. For many years there has been a great deal of controversy over the character of Othello in Shakespeare’s play. Critics have debated the extent to which Othello can be considered a tragic hero, but there are two critics, whose views are held within higher consideration than the others. The first of these critics is A.C. Bradley who believes that Othello is one of the greatest of all tragic heroes.
To what Extent is King Lear a Tragic Hero? Aristotle said that tragedy is characterised by seriousness and dignity and involving a great person who experiences a reversal of fortune. Aristotle’s definition can include a change of fortune from bad to good, but he says that the change from good to bad is preferable because this affects pity and fear within the audience. Tragedy results in catharsis (emotional cleansing) or healing for the audience through their experience of these emotions in response to the suffering of the characters in the drama/play. According to Aristotle a tragic hero must be a noble person and also hold a “high” status in society.
While Othello displays the role of noble caliber, he also possesses the second characteristic of a tragedy, which is having a tragic flaw. A. Iago manipulates Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio his Lieutenant. B. Othello becomes jealous and vengeful. IV. Lastly, Othello fits the final requirement where, “In Greek tragedy, the hero is a character amply capable of making choices – capable, too, of accepting the consequences” (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, pg.
Characters like Iago with little pride let their thirst for pride overtake their judgment about what is right. Characters like Othello with a great deal of pride are easily manipulated, because they are so proud. Othello lets pride get the best of him, and this clouds his judgment to such an extent that he ends up murdering his wife because he falsely believes that she has been unfaithful to him and he feels humiliated as a result. Throughout Othello, an ordered structure is placed on this play to convey a sense of order as was required in an Elizabethan context owing to the significance of order, hierarchy and class. This can be seen at the end of the play when there is a need for Othello to be redeemed in the audiences’ eyes hence even Othello as a