Final answer:
The term for a trait of tragedy where a character gets the exact opposite of what is expected is Peripeteia, as illustrated by Creon's experience in Antigone and described by Aristotle in Poetics. Therefore, the correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trait of tragedy where a character experiences the exact opposite of what is expected is known as Peripeteia. This is a critical concept in the analysis of classic tragedies.
An iconic instance of peripeteia is in Sophocles' play Antigone, where the character Creon, who begins the story with power and control, finds his life upended by the deaths of his son and wife.
Aristotle's Poetics defined Peripeteia as a reversal of fortune that must align with the likelihood of occurrence and necessity, marking a sudden and dramatic change in the direction of the narrative.
For example, in the tragedy of Oedipus, a messenger arrives with news intended to alleviate Oedipus's fears about his mother, but instead reveals his true identity, leading to devastating consequences. This unexpected twist in the plot emphasizes the fragility of human fortune and the unpredictability of life.
These elements combined, such as in the stories of great but flawed characters like Oedipus or Creon, precipitate the downfall of the tragic hero through their hamartia, often accompanied by hubris.