Final answer:
The main character in a traditional tragedy is best classified as a Tragic hero, a good character with a tragic flaw leading to their downfall, as defined by Aristotle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main character in a traditional tragedy should be classified as a Tragic hero. According to Aristotle's definition in his Poetics, a tragic hero is a character who is fundamentally virtuous but is doomed to failure due to a tragic flaw or mistake (hamartia), often coupled with fate. This downfall leads to a reversal of fortune (peripeteia) and ultimately ends in a purgation of emotions (catharsis) for the audience. Examples of tragic heroes include Creon in Sophocles' Antigone and Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet. These characters often have to make ethical choices that are relevant to the greater community, and their stories emphasize the human frailty, particularly the problem of pride.