In trying to find the definition of a hero I came upon Aristotle's. ... Aristotle's tragic hero must exhibit a compassionate side and Oedipus definitely does. ... The tragic flaw is another of Aristotle's criteria for being a Tragic Hero. ... The last of Aristotle's criteria for a tragic hero is putting pity in the audience. ... Oedipus is not only the hero of the play because he fits all of Aristotle's criteria. ...

• Word Count: 767
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

A Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote his notion of classic from of heroism called tragic heroism in his work entitled Poetics. In Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. ... His arrogant temper, his tragic flaw, per Aristotle's Poetics, can classify him as a tragic hero. ... The titular character from Sophocles's Oedipus Rex, also corresponds with Aristotle's idea of a tragic hero. ... The literary legends of the Grecian world, Achilles and Oedipus, are parallel with Aristotle's c...

• Word Count: 915
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle believed that any man of power can be a tragic hero, such as Oedipus. ... Aristotle's theory is supported by Oedipus the king because Oedipus shows that even those of high power experience fatal tragedy. Miller's theory of tragedy was the opposite of Aristotle's. ... This contradicts Aristotle because he believed that only certain people were able to be considered "tragic". ...

• Word Count: 719
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is someone who creates his or her own downfall, whose fate is not deserved, and whose punishment exceeds the crime. In the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles, the main character Oedipus is a perfect example of Aristotle's tragic hero. ... Oedipus is a tragic hero, according to Aristotle's definition: he creates his own downfall when he tries to rise above the gods and run from his fate; his fate of killing his father and marrying his mother is not deserved; and the punishment of blindness exceeds his "crime" because no mater what Oedipus did, he wa...

• Word Count: 647
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle's statement that the man who has no need for others is no part of the community describes Achilles in The Iliad very well. As Aristotle would agree, Achilles" determination to rely on the aide of no one but himself is something that only a god could achieve successfully. ...

• Word Count: 485
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

A tragic hero, according to Aristotle's definition, is born in nobility, is responsible for his own destiny, is endowed with a tragic flaw, and has the potential for greatness, but is domed to fail. ... Aristotle's best example of a tragic hero is Sophocles's play "Oedipus of the King", where the hero Oedipus is doomed to kill his father and marry his mother. ...

• Word Count: 839
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The idea of Greek tragedy stems from Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. In Aristotle's definition, the tragic hero must be a person of high standing so their fall from glory will be all the more horrible. ...

• Word Count: 666
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Jean Racine's play, Phaedra, arouses "pity and terror", in accordance with Aristotle's requirements of tragedy. ... In his introduction, Racine states that his play "possesses all of those qualities which Aristotle required in a hero of a tragedy, and which are capable of exciting pity and terror" (p. 3). ...

• Word Count: 880
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

According to Aristotle's criteria, "Oedipus the King," by Sophocles is a tragic fall. Aristotle gives us seven different criteria to prove Oedipus is a tragic hero. The first criteria is a fatal flaw. A fatal flaw must be a character trait that causes them to fall. The second criteria is that ...

• Word Count: 719
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

"At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst" (Aristotle 384-322 B.C.). ... Aristotle' quote reinforces this idea that mankind is whole, when justice is the foundation, but in its absence we are nothing more than irrational animals. ...

• Word Count: 1107
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero is someone who is highly renowned and prosperous with a tragic flaw that is responsible for his or her downfall. Creon's potential for greatness as a ruler, destructive pride, recognition of error, and tragic downfall accurately apply to Aristotle's definition; thus proving he is the tragic hero. ...

• Word Count: 1313
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle himself both praised Euripides calling him "the most tragic poet" and also criticized him for his confusing plotlines and his backward portrayal of what a hero is expected to be. ... It is also discussed in Palmer's article how some analysis of Euripides plays; Medea in particular may not even fit the criteria for a "Greek tragedy" according to Aristotle. ...

• Word Count: 1606
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Human roles differ across cultures as evidenced through their literature. Each civilization had their own beliefs about god, the world, and families. While comparing ancient Chinese and Greek civilizations it was shown that there were many similarities as well as several differences. Evaluating...

• Word Count: 712
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

The play Medea by Eurypides is looked upon as a tragedy even though in the end, the main character of the story succeeds in what she had set upon to accomplish. Even so, this play still fits the Aristotelian definition of a tragedy. Aristotle wrote that for a play to be a tragedy, it must have sever...

• Word Count: 679
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• Grade Level: High School

David Schnabel 9/5/01 AP English / 4th Oedipus Characterization Essay A tragic hero would not be as tragic were they not to realize the truth or become enlightened in the end. At the end of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus comes to terms with himself and the truth from which he had been avoiding. The t...

• Word Count: 753
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

According to Aristotle, five characteristics make up a tragic hero. First of all, the character has to come from nobility and has a tragic flaw, caused by a simple mistake or character mishap. In addition, he or she has to undergo a downfall and a reversal of fortune, from higher to low...

• Word Count: 775
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Heracles Heracles or (Hercules) is the most popular hero in Greek Mythology. His life story has been told throughout generations and has remained one of the most popular myths of our time. In this essay I will demonstrate his qualities and influences not only in our culture but many others reg...

• Word Count: 1295
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School