my tragic flaw essay

Tragic Flaw

Definition of tragic flaw.

I thought it wrong, my children, to hear the truth from others, messengers. Here I am myself—you all know me, the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus.

Classical Greek Interpretation of Tragic Flaw

Common examples of tragic flaws, modern interpretation of tragic flaw, common examples of shakespearean characters with tragic flaws, common examples of series characters with tragic flaws, examples of tragic flaw in literature, example 1:  macbeth (william shakespeare).

I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other.

Example 2:  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow  (Washington Irving)

He could not help, too, rolling his large eyes round him as he ate, and chuckling with the possibility that he might one day be lord of all this scene of almost unimaginable luxury and splendor. Then, he thought, how soon he’d turn his back upon the old school-house; snap his fingers in the face of Hans Van Ripper, and every other stingy patron, and kick any itinerant pedagogue out of doors that should dare to call him comrade!

Example 3:  Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.

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Tragic Flaw in Hamlet

This essay about tragic flaws in literature, focusing on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” delves into the concept of *hamartia* and its role in tragedy narratives. It explores how Prince Hamlet’s indecision serves as his tragic flaw, leading to his downfall and the unraveling of the play’s events. Through Hamlet’s internal conflict, moral considerations, and delayed actions, the essay illustrates the catastrophic consequences of his flaw on himself and those around him. It argues that Shakespeare’s portrayal of Hamlet’s *hamartia* offers profound insights into human nature and the complexities of decision-making, enriching the tragic narrative of the play.

How it works

In literature, the concept of a tragic flaw—known by its classical Greek term, *hamartia*—plays a pivotal role in the development of tragedy narratives. This flaw, typically a character defect or a mistaken choice, leads to the downfall of the protagonist. While the tragic flaw can vary in nature, it fundamentally stems from a weakness within the character, be it hubris, jealousy, indecision, or beyond. William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” provides a compelling exploration of this concept through its protagonist, Prince Hamlet, whose tragic flaw is his indecision or procrastination.

Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, is a deeply complex character who reflects philosophical ponderings about life and death. His tragic flaw becomes evident through his inability to act swiftly upon his father’s murder. Hamlet’s indecision is showcased in his vacillation over how and when to avenge his father’s death, who appears to him as a ghost demanding justice. This hesitation is rooted in Hamlet’s philosophical and moral considerations, his need for proof beyond doubt, and his contemplations on the consequences of his actions.

The manifestation of Hamlet’s *hamartia* initiates from the moment he learns of his father’s unnatural death. Tasked by the ghost of his father to “revenge his foul and most unnatural murder,” Hamlet’s response is not one of immediate action but rather internal conflict. This conflict is not about whether to act but how to align his moral compass with the act of revenge. His soliloquy, “To be, or not to be,” is perhaps the most famous articulation of this dilemma, reflecting his profound existential angst. Here, Hamlet ponders the moral ramifications of living and dying, of action and inaction, which delays his revenge.

Moreover, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is compounded by his intelligence and acute awareness of the ramifications of his actions, both intended and unintended. His plan to use the play within the play, “The Mouse-trap,” to “catch the conscience of the king,” further illustrates his need for certainty but also his stalling. While this strategy ultimately confirms King Claudius’s guilt, it also exemplifies Hamlet’s preference for intricate planning over decisive action. This delay leads to a series of tragic events, including the accidental killing of Polonius, the madness and eventual death of Ophelia, and the plotting of his own demise by Claudius and Laertes.

Hamlet’s inability to make a decisive action culminates in the tragic final act of the play. Once he finally acts, it is in a moment of passion, killing Claudius without the premeditated planning he has demonstrated earlier. Tragically, this action is too late to save himself or others he cares about, such as his mother, Gertrude, and Ophelia. The delay, precipitated by his tragic flaw, thus seals his fate and the fate of others around him.

In conclusion, Hamlet’s tragic flaw of indecision is a critical element that drives the narrative of Shakespeare’s play. It is a flaw that is deeply intertwined with his intellectual and moral considerations, showcasing the complexity of his character and the tragic narrative. This exploration of *hamartia* serves not only to advance the plot but also offers profound insights into human nature, emphasizing the catastrophic potential of internal conflicts and delayed decisions in human life. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Hamlet remains a quintessential study of the tragic flaw, providing depth and tragedy to the character that has resonated through centuries of literary criticism and study.

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Macbeth’s Tragic Flaw

Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. The play is a tragedy, and Macbeth’s tragic flaw is a key element that contributes to the story. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition, which blinded him to the consequences of his actions. This ultimately led to his downfall.

While Macbeth’s ambition may have been his tragic flaw, it was also what drove him to be a successful general and eventually king. Without ambition, Macbeth would never have achieved these things. However, his ambition led him to make poor choices and ultimately destroyed him.

Macbeth’s tragic flaw is a key element in the play and helps to create a tragic story. Macbeth’s ambition is what led to his downfall, but it was also what made him successful. Macbeth’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the importance of making good choices.

A protagonist who possesses a tragic flaw, as defined by Aristotle’s twelve virtues, is at the heart of every great drama. Macbeth, a great Scottish general and thane of Glamis, has just won a major battle when three witches tell him he will become hane of Cawdor before subsequently becoming king of Scotland.

Macbeth is tempted by the prophecies, and Lady Macbeth helps him to kill Duncan, the current king, so that Macbeth can take his place. Macbeth is a brave warrior and a good ruler, but he is not perfect. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his excessive ambition, which leads him to commit terrible crimes in order to gain power. Macbeth pays for his crimes with his life, and in the end, justice is done.

Macbeth is a great general and thane of Glamis who has just won an important battle when he is told by three witches that he will become hane of Cawdor and then king of Scotland. Macbeth is tempted by the prophecies, and Lady Macbeth helps him to kill Duncan, the current king, so that Macbeth can take his place. Macbeth is a brave warrior and a good ruler, but he is not perfect. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his excessive ambition, which leads him to commit terrible crimes in order to gain power. Macbeth pays for his crimes with his life, and in the end, justice is done.

Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his excessive ambition, which leads him to commit terrible crimes in order to gain power. Macbeth’s ambition is what ultimately leads to his downfall. Macbeth becomes so obsessed with becoming king that he does not care about anything else. He becomes a ruthless dictator, and his actions lead to the death of many innocent people. In the end, Macbeth’s ambition destroys him and he pays for his crimes with his life. Macbeth is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.

After Macbeth is granted Cawdor by King Duncan, he believes the witches’ words and conspires against him with his wife. That night, when Duncan comes to Macbeth’s castle, he kills him and takes the crown for himself after his sons flee from Scotland. Then Macbeth rules for a time before being murdered by Macduff when he and Malcolm return leading the armies of England. Many people believe that Macbeth’s tragic flaw is ambition; that he is driven to commit numerous murders due to his thirst for power.

While Macbeth’s ambition is certainly a factor in his undoing, it is not his only flaw. Macbeth can be seen as a victim of his own psyche; he kills Duncan not just because he wants to be king, but because he believes that he is unworthy of the title and that Duncan is a threat to him. Macbeth’s fatal flaw might better be described as his self-doubt and insecurity. This makes him susceptible to the witches’ lies and leads him to take actions based on his own fears rather than reality. In the end, Macbeth’s fatal flaw costs him both his life and his soul.

However, by carefully analyzing the first act, one may see Macbeth’s character flaw that causes him to desire power. The tragic deficit in Macbeth’s character is his trust in the witches’ prophecies and his wife’s judgments rather than his ambition as most people believe. Macbeth doesn’t have any ambitions for the throne until his wife comes up with a plan at the start of the play.

Macbeth is Macduff’s friend and does not want to kill him, but Macduff’s wife convinces Macbeth that Macduff is a threat. Macbeth also kills Duncan because the witches tell him to, without any proof that Duncan is actually a threat. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his willingness to blindly trust in others and to let them make his decisions for him, which leads to his downfall.

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth is killed by Macduff due to Macduff’s anger over his wife and children being killed. Macbeth was killed due to his tragic flaw, which is Macbeth’s blind trust in people. Macbeth blindly trusts the witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macduff. This causes Macbeth to make bad decisions that lead to his death. If Macbeth would not have blindly trusted these people, he would not have been killed. Macbeth’s tragic flaw is what ultimately leads to his downfall.

When Macbeth first encounters the witches’ words, he is surprised and believes them rather than welcoming them whenhe says, “… to be a King does not enter into consideration, no more than Cawdor….” (1. 3. 75-77). When confronted with the witches’ statement that he will be king, Macbeth acts as a devoted subject would; not as someone who harbours secret ambitions in his heart. Because there is no reason for him to conceal his true feelings at this time, it may be concluded that Macbeth has yet to truly consider murdering the king.

Macbeth’s lack of imagination is a human quality and not a tragic flaw. Macbeth’s fatal flaw is his ambition. It is his primary characteristic and motivation throughout the play. Macbeth is described as “…Glamis, and thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind” (1. 3. 50-51). Macbeth has already achieved two of the three prophecies, but he remains unsatisfied because he knows that there is more that he can attain.

His grasping nature causes him to commit regicide in order to obtain the third prophecy and become king. Even after Macbeth has been crowned, he is still not content. His ambition leads him to further bloodshed as Macbeth orders the murders of Banquo and Macduff’s family. Macbeth’s ambition is his tragic flaw because it leads him to commit heinous acts which result in his downfall.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Macbeth Tragic Flaw Analysis

Macbeth Tragic Flaw Analysis

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

Words: 593 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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Unchecked ambition, susceptibility to manipulation, guilt and remorse.

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Tragic Flaw: Literary Definition and Examples

The literary element shared by Hamlet, Oedipus, and Macbeth

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In classical tragedy, a tragic flaw is a personal quality or characteristic that leads the protagonist to make choices that ultimately cause a tragedy. The concept of a tragic flaw dates back to Aristotle's Poetics . In Poetics , Aristotle used the term hamartia to refer to the innate quality that leads a protagonist towards his or her own downfall. The term fatal flaw is sometimes used in place of tragic flaw.

It's important to note that neither tragic flaw nor hamartia necessarily denote a moral failing in the protagonist. Instead, it refers to specific qualities (good or bad) that cause the protagonist to make certain decisions that, in turn, make tragedy inevitable.

Example: Tragic Flaw in Hamlet

Hamlet, the titular protagonist of Shakespeare’s play, is one of the most-taught and clearest instances of a tragic flaw in classical literature. Although a quick reading of the play might suggest that Hamlet's madness – feigned or real – is to blame for his downfall, his true tragic flaw is being overly hesitant . Hamlet’s hesitation to act is what leads to his downfall and to the tragic ending of the play as a whole.

Throughout the play, Hamlet struggles internally with whether or not he should take his revenge and kill Claudius. Some of his concerns are explained clearly, as when he abandons a particular plan because he doesn’t want to kill Claudius while he’s praying and thus ensure that Claudius’s soul would go to heaven. He’s also, justifiably, concerned at first about taking action based on the word of a ghost. But even once he has all his evidence, he still takes the roundabout way. Because Hamlet hesitates, Claudius has time to make plots of his own, and when the two sets of plans collide, tragedy ensues , taking down most of the main cast with it.

This is an instance where the tragic flaw is not inherently a moral failing. Hesitancy can be good in some circumstances; indeed, one can imagine other classical tragedies ( Othello , for instance, or Romeo and Juliet ) where hesitating would have actually averted the tragedy. However, in Hamlet , hesitancy is wrong for the circumstances and consequently leads to the tragic sequence of events. Therefore, Hamlet's hesitant attitude a clear tragic flaw.

Example: Tragic Flaw in Oedipus the King

The concept of a tragic flaw originated in Greek tragedy. Oedipus , by Sophocles, is a prime example. Early in the play, Oedipus receives a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, but, refusing to accept this, he sets off on his own. His prideful refusal is seen as a rejection of the gods’ authority, making pride, or hubris , the root cause of his tragic end.

Oedipus has several opportunities to walk back his actions, but his pride will not let him. Even after he embarks on his quest, he could still have avoided tragedy had he not been so certain that he knew best. Ultimately, his hubris leads him to challenge the gods – a huge mistake in Greek tragedy – and to insist on being given information that he has repeatedly been told he should never know.

Oedipus' pride is so great that he believes he knows better and that he can handle anything, but when he learns the truth of his parentage, he is utterly destroyed. This is an example of a tragic flaw that is also portrayed as an objective moral negative: Oedipus' pride is excessive, which is a failing on its own even without the tragic arc.

Example: Tragic Flaw in Macbeth

In Shakespeare's Macbeth , audiences can see the hamartia or tragic flaw grow over the course of the play. The flaw in question: ambition; or, specifically, unchecked ambition. In the earliest scenes of the play, Macbeth seems loyal enough to his king, but the moment he hears a prophecy that he will become king, his original loyalty goes out the window.

Because his ambition is so intense, Macbeth does not pause to consider the possible implications of the witches’ prophecy. Urged on by his equally ambitious wife, Macbeth comes to believe that his destiny is to become king immediately, and he commits horrible crimes to get there. If he had not been so overly ambitious, he might have either ignored the prophecy or thought of it as a distant future that he could wait for. Because his behavior was determined by his ambition , he started a chain of events that tumbled out of his control.

In Macbeth , the tragic flaw is seen as a moral failing, even by the protagonist himself. Convinced that everyone else is as ambitious as he is, Macbeth becomes paranoid and violent. He can recognize the downsides of ambition in others, but is unable to stop his own downward spiral . If not for his overreaching ambition, he would never have taken the throne, destroying his life and the lives of others.

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