English terms

tragic hero definition

a tragic hero is a dramatic character whose downfall is brought about by a personal flaw or an error in judgement, often evoking both pity and fear in the audience

Hamartia

a character defect or tragic flaw that makes the hero relatable to the audience but is also the direct cause of his or her downfall. The term comes from the Greek word “hamartanein”meaning “to err”.

Hubris

is excessive pride and arrogance. The name is derived from “hybris”, and insolence or outrage so great it provokes the anger of the gods.

Peripeteia 

from a greek term meaning “to fall around” or “a sudden change” — is an abrupt reversal of fortune.

Anagnorisis

is the moment the hero realizes the situation was caused by his or her own doing. The term is based on the greek word for “recognize”

Nemesis

is the inescapable fate the character is bound to suffer as a punishment. In greek mythology, Nemesis was the goddess of vengeance

Catharsis

meaning to “cleanse” or “purge”, is the emotion of pity and fear the audience feels for the character, as the punishment handed out by fate is greater than he or she deserves.