Tragedy Terms

Peripeteia

A sudden and abrupt reversal of fortune or change in circumstances. Is the plot reversal , a pivotal or crucial action on the part of the protagonist that changes their situation from seemingly secure to vulnerable

Anagnorisis

The pivotal moment of recognition or discovery, where the tragic hero transitions from ignorance to knowledge, often realizing their own errors too late.

Catharsis

The ultimate purging or release of strong, intense emotions (such as pity and fear) by the audience at the end of a tragic performance.

Pathos

The quality in a work that evokes feelings of pity, sympathy, or sorrow from the reader or audience.

Tragic Hero

The main protagonist of high status who is neither purely good nor purely evil, making their ultimate demise feel both tragic and inevitable.

Hamartia

A fatal flaw, error in judgment, or inherent weakness in the protagonist's character that leads to their downfall.

Hubris

The most common form of hamartia, referring to excessive pride or self-confidence that drives the hero to go against the natural order or ‘the gods’.

Tragic flaw

a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall