What is a Tragedy?
A dramatic work in which the protagonist suffers a devastating downfall, often due to a character flaw or external circumstances beyond their control.
Tragedy: When Heroes Fall
A tragedy is a dramatic form that explores humanity's darkest moments, from hubris and individual flaws to society's larger missteps.
In essence, it involves the downfall of a tragic hero or protagonist who often embodies noble qualities but is also haunted by a fatal flaw known as hamartia.
This flaw ultimately leads them to their undoing, as seemingly insurmountable obstacles and external forces conspire against them in a cruel twist of fate. The tragic hero's agony and suffering serve as something of a cautionary tale, underscoring the reality of our own limitations and weaknesses.
Tragedy has been a part of literary tradition since ancient times, with the works of Greek playwrights like Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides setting the standard for the genre. It has since evolved to include other cultures, from Shakespeare's Elizabethan tragedies to modern-day works like Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.
Oedipus, a noble and respected king, discovers he has unwittingly murdered his father and married his mother, fulfilling a prophecy meant to destroy his family.
Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire obsessed with the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan, ultimately suffers a tragic end as his carefully constructed world comes crashing down around him.