Tragic Flaw or Hamartia: A Literary Device

Etymology of Tragic Flaw or Hamartia

The term “tragic flaw” was first introduced by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in his work Poetics, which he wrote in the 4th century BCE. In Greek, the term is hamartia, means “missing the mark” or “error.” Aristotle used the term to describe a character trait or action that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero in a tragedy.

Meanings of Tragic Flaw

Literal Meanings

Tragic Flaw: The character’s inherent imperfection or weakness that leads to their downfall.

Fatal Error: An irreversible mistake or misjudgment that has severe consequences.

Character Defect: A flaw or deficiency in the character’s personality or morals.

Tragic Mistake: A critical error in judgment that results in a tragic outcome.

Tragic Flaw’s Consequences: The negative outcomes and suffering caused by the character’s hamartia.

Fateful Misstep: An unfortunate action or decision that sets the character on a path to tragedy.

Character’s Downfall: The character’s ultimate failure or ruin as a result of their hamartia.

Tragic Imperfection: The character’s innate quality or trait that ultimately leads to their downfall.

Flawed Decision Making: Poor choices or decisions made by the character due to their hamartia.

Tragic Character Trait: A personality trait or characteristic that contributes to the character’s tragic fate.

Tragic Flaw in Grammar

• Singular Noun Phrase and Singular Verb: When “tragic flaw” is used to refer to a single flaw or characteristic that leads to a tragic outcome, it should take a singular verb. For example:
  • Macbeth’s tragic flaw was his ambition.
• Plural Noun Phrase and Plural Verb: When “tragic flaw” is used to refer to multiple flaws or characteristics that lead to a tragic outcome, it should take a plural verb. For example:
  • Hamlet’s tragic flaws were his indecisiveness and his tendency to overthink.

Definition of Tragic Flaw

A tragic flaw is a trait or characteristic that leads a character in a tragedy to make decisions that ultimately result in their downfall. It is often a personal flaw such as pride, ambition, or jealousy that causes the character’s downfall. Tragic flaws are a common element in literature, specifically, in tragic plays and novels.

Types of Tragic Flaw

There are several types of tragic flaws that lead to a character’s downfall. Some common examples include:

Type of Tragic Flaw or Hamartia	Definition	Examples from Literature
Hubris	Excessive pride or arrogance leads the protagonist to defy the gods or ignore warnings, ultimately leading to their downfall.	Example: In Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’ pride and belief in his ability to outsmart fate lead him to unwittingly fulfill the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother.
Greed	Insatiable desire for wealth or possessions causes the character to make morally questionable decisions that result in their tragic undoing.	Example: In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth’s insatiable ambition and greed for power drive him to commit regicide and descend into madness, leading to his downfall and eventual death.
Jealousy	Intense envy or resentment towards others leads the character to engage in destructive actions that lead to their own downfall or the downfall of others.	Example: In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the titular character’s jealousy of Cassio’s promotion and suspicion of his wife’s fidelity leads him to murder Desdemona, resulting in his own tragic end.
Lack of Self-Awareness	The inability of the characters to recognize their own flaws or the consequences of their actions leads them to repeat mistakes and eventually suffer the consequences.	Example: In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s lack of self-awareness and his obsession with the past and social status blind him to the reality of his unattainable dreams.
Impulsiveness	The tendency to act hastily without considering the consequences leads to reckless actions that bring about their downfall.	Example: In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, both Romeo and Juliet’s impulsive decisions, such as rushing into marriage and taking their own lives, lead to the tragic end of the play.

These types of tragic flaws are often used in combination with other literary devices to create a powerful and moving story.

Common Examples of Tragic Flaws

Ancient Hamartia (Tragic Flaw):

Term	Definition
Hubris	Excessive pride or arrogance, often leading the character to challenge or defy the gods, resulting in their downfall.
Hamartia (in the original Greek sense)	A mistake or error in judgment, which sets off a chain of events leading to the protagonist’s tragic fate.
Ate	Blind recklessness or folly, causing the character to act rashly and make destructive decisions.
Hybris	Similar to hubris, representing pride and arrogance that results in defiance of divine or natural order.

Modern Tragic Flaw (Hamartia):

1. Ambition: An intense desire for success or power, often leading the character to take morally questionable actions that lead to their downfall.
2. Greed: An insatiable desire for wealth or possessions, driving the character to engage in unethical behavior, leading to their tragic end.
3. Jealousy: Intense envy or resentment towards others, causing the character to engage in destructive actions that bring about their own demise.
4. Lack of Self-Control: The inability to control one’s impulses or emotions, leading to impulsive actions that have severe consequences.
5. Obsession: Fixation on a particular goal or desire, disregarding everything else, which leads to disastrous outcomes.
6. Revenge: A strong desire for vengeance, causing the character to act destructively, often leading to their own ruin.
7. Lack of Self-Awareness: The character’s inability to recognize their own flaws or the consequences of their actions, resulting in repeated mistakes and eventual downfall.

Suggested Readings

1. Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by Malcolm Heath, Penguin Classics, 1996.
2. Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Macmillan, 1904.
3. Hegel, G. W. F. Aesthetics: Lectures on Fine Art. Translated by T. M. Knox, Oxford University Press, 1998.
4. Knox, Bernard. The Heroic Temper: Studies in Sophoclean Tragedy. University of California Press, 1964.
5. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1976.
6. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 2003.
7. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Classics, 1984.
8. Steiner, George. The Death of Tragedy. Faber and Faber, 1961.