Oedipus: Tragic Hero – Flashcards

A virtuous man whose misfortune is brought about not by depravity but by some error or frailty. In other words, the protagonist has good morals and intentions but is destined for failure due to tragic flaw.

1.) The protagonist must have heroic traits and actions at the beginning of the story. 2.) The protagonist possess hamartia that brings their demise or downfall 3.) The downfall is in the control of the protagonist. It is not an accident 4.) Sometimes, the demise of other characters close to the protagonist happens as well. 5.) The protagonist is punished for their crimes 6.) The punishment is extreme and goes beyond what the character deserves. 7.) The protagonist's demise or fall allows the character to gain something. 8.) The protagonist's fall evokes pity from the audience

The protagonist shows greatness through his/her traits and actions

An event happens that starts the downfall The rest of the rising action is the progression of the downfall

An event happens that brings the demise or downfall of the protagonist

The protagonist realizes his/her downfall The punishment for the protagonist's actions is determined

The punishment is carried out The knowledge that the protagonist gains is revealed

The flaw or mistake that eventually leads to the protagonist's downfall Teds to be a personality trait like ignorance, pride, arrogance.

Excessive Pride (this is Oedipus' hamartia)