The Tragedy Archetype

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The Tragedy Archetype
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Tragedy and Aristotle

• The Greek philosopher Aristotle first defined
  tragedy in 330 BCE.

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Elements of Tragedy

• A Tragic Hero
• A Tragic Mistake or Flaw
• Recognition
• Reversal of Fortune
• Catharsis
• Resolution and the Restoration of Social Order

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The Tragic Hero

• The tragic hero is someone we, as an audience,
  look up to. He/she is good and decent.
• We identify with the tragic hero.
• He/she is nearly perfect.

Hamlet
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Romance v. Tragic Heroes
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Romance Hero Tragic Hero
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The Tragic Flaw

• Although the hero is nearly perfect, he or she
  has one flaw or weakness.
• We call this the tragic flaw or fatal flaw.
• It is this weakness or human error that causes
  the heros downfall.

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Recognition

• The hero recognizes his /her flaw or mistake in
  judgment and foresees his/her downfall.

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The Reversal of Fortune

• Because of the heros flaw/error, the hero
  experiences a reversal of fortune.
• Things go from good to bad and then from bad to
  worse (sometimes the hero dies).

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Catharsis

• Catharsis is the audiences release of emotions
  through pity and fear. (This is why we cry!)

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Resolution and the Restoration of the Social
Order

• A tragedy cannot end until there is a resolution
  where order is restored and there is peace.

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Your Homework

• Create your own tragic hero.
• In the Circle of Stories section of your
  notebook, write 10 to 12 complex sentences
  describing who your tragic hero is.
• Review your notes on the Tragic Hero before you
  start writing. Be prepared to explain how you
  identify with your hero and why others look up to
  him or her.