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. The hero also must be a man like ourselves in elemental feelings and emotions. Also, the hero must have a tragic flaw, a characteristic that causes him to bring some disaster upon himself and fall to the lowest depths. .
In Agamemnon, the classic Greek drama, Aeschylus demonstrates the concept of the tragic flaw through the character of Agamemnon and how he is a common man with similar feelings and beliefs. He loves his family and devotes himself to his country and religion. Agamemnon's dedication reaches to his people and to the gods. He does not want to leave to fight in a foreign country for fear of abandoning duty to rule his country. By understanding the consequences of a mortal man to walk on a purple carpet, he also respects the Greek deities. Agamemnon's love and loyalty to his family, country, and religion depict him as a generally decent man.
An additional reason why Agamemnon is a tragic hero is because of his high stature in society. He is the King of Argos and is heralded as a hero in the battle of Troy. Agamemnon is the older brother of Menelaus, whose wife Helen was stolen by a Trojan prince, thus igniting a decade-long war. A great warrior, he sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia in order to obtain a favorable wind to carry the Greek fleet to Troy. .
An additional reason why Agamemnon fits the role a tragic hero so perfectly is the tragic flaw in his character. The blemish which leads to the demise of this great king is that of his unawareness of Clytemnestra's and Aegisthus' intentions. Both lovers seek to destroy Agamemnon because of his actions and those of his father. The leader explains why Clytemnestra yearns for revenge. "I see great Agamemnon sway and groan like a giant tree in a storm; tears fall from his eyes; he strikes the earth with his staff.
