“A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall”
In the storytelling world, heroes have the capability of being some of the most memorable characters for readers. But, if there’s one thing that audiences find more impactful than a hero, it’s one with a tragic downfall. From the ancient Greeks to modern bestsellers, writing a tragic hero is an art form that every writer should know how to get right. Join us today at What We Reading as we run you through what a tragic hero is, some of the best examples of tragic heroes in literature and the sorts of qualities and characters that make these characters so distinctive, compelling and memorable!
What Is A Tragic Hero?
First off, it’s worth explaining what a tragic hero is. In literature, a tragic hero is usually the main character in a story who possesses several traits or qualities that make readers want to root for them. However, they also suffer a fatal flaw or make a critical error that leads to their downfall.
Tragic heroes date back as far as ancient Greek dramas and have become some of the most popular character archetypes since. The rollercoaster of seeing a hero rise to greatness only to then come undone by a moment of misjudgement is emotionally powerful for a reader, and a great way for a writer to tie their narrative together.
Are Tragic Heroes Good Or Bad?
The natural follow-up after asking: ‘What is a tragic hero?’ is whether these characters are good or bad. What makes tragic heroes so compelling for readers is the fact that they don’t easily fit under either of these tags.
Tragic heroes are not defined as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’. The point of a tragic hero is on their actions, choices and inevitable fall from grace, rather than how they treat the world around them. A tragic hero doesn’t even necessarily have to be the ‘hero’ of the story; many villains or antagonists have been given the label of tragic heroes in books over the years.
Check Out Why Anti-Heroes Are So Popular
Almost every single tragic hero has elements of good and bad within them, and it is up to readers to decide how much sympathy they’re willing to hand them.
3 Examples Of Tragic Heroes In Books
Now that you know exactly what a tragic hero is, it’s worth going over some of the most iconic examples of tragic heroes in literature:
- Jay Gatsby – The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
- Why it’s tragic: Gatsby is a charming and charismatic protagonist who believes in the power of love. But, his obsession with recapturing an idealised view of the past and his relationship with Daisy leads to his isolation, moral decay and, ultimately, his death.
- Victor Frankenstein – Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
- Why it’s tragic: Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant and ambitious scientist who is shown to also be capable of compassion. His desire for knowledge and glory, however, leads to him abandoning his creation which results in the Creature’s misery and his downfall.
- Eddard Stark – A Game Of Thrones (George R.R. Martin)
- Why it’s tragic: Eddard Stark is called to be the Hand of the King and is shown to be an honourable man whose intentions remain solely to protect his family and serve justice. However, his steadfast adherence to honour leads to him underestimating the intrigue and treachery of court life, leading to him becoming ensnared in a web of deceit which results in his execution.
Characteristics Of Tragic Heroes
There are many ways of writing a tragic hero and having a reader identify them. Here are some of the most common personality traits and characteristics involved with this character archetype.
Birth Right, Nobility Or High Standing
Tragic heroes usually begin their journey from a position of power, greatness or high social standing. They may be kings, queens, powerful warriors, skilled wizards, accomplished professionals or influential individuals in their community. This starting position puts them on a pedestal that makes their inevitable fall more impactful.
Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)
A crucial tragic flaw in a tragic hero is sometimes referred to as ‘harmartia’. It is the central characteristic that leads to the hero’s downfall and can be a weakness, personality trait or error in judgement. These character flaws often result in decisions that have pivotal consequences that contribute to the hero’s tragedy being completed.
Hubris And Pride
They say pride comes before a fall, and that is certainly the case with a lot of tragic heroes. Showing excessive arrogance, ego or an over-inflated belief in their abilities can lead to heroes making decisions that lead to their downfall.
Shifting Fortunes
When a tragic hero experiences a reversal of fortune, this is known as ‘peripeteia’. This turning point often results from their fatal flaw and sees their situation take a turn for the worse. The reversal in fortunes dramatically changes a hero’s path, ultimately leading to their tragic end.
Realisation
A tragic hero needs to have that moment where they realise the writing is on the wall. This moment of recognition is called ‘anagnorisis’ and usually comes about as a consequence of a hero’s actions, and how their tragic flaw contributed to their demise. The self-awareness makes for an emotionally powerful moment and usually serves as the climax in the hero’s journey.
Catharsis
Catharsis is one of the most crucial components of a tragic hero in literature. Going back to their ancient roots, tragic heroes evoke a strong emotional release in audiences as they watch a hero’s suffering and downfall. Once that downfall is complete, readers are encouraged to think about their own lives and the complexities of human nature.
Pathos And Sympathy
Despite their flaws, tragic heroes are meant to evoke ‘pathos’, which is a profound feeling of pity from the audience. Their traits make them relatable, which encourages readers to feel empathy for them. By following them on their journey, a deep relationship is formed between a hero and a reader, making their ultimate fall more emotionally gut-punching.
Downfall
Finally, a tragic hero’s demise needs to feel especially brutal. Whether it be the loss of something they hold dear or the simple loss of life itself, the hero’s fate is a result of their tragic flaw and their choices throughout the story.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
