Question

The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate. In fact, the tragedy is usually triggered by some error of judgment or some character flaw that contributes to the hero's lack of perfection noted above. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia and is usually translated as "tragic flaw.

Answer 1

The hero's downfall in Greek tragedies is often the result of their own choices and character flaws. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia and is usually translated as a 'tragic flaw'. It is an important element in Greek tragedies as it teaches the audience through the character's mistakes and flaws.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Greek tragedies, the hero's downfall is often the result of their own free choices and character flaws, rather than accidents or external forces. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia, or a tragic flaw. It is usually translated as a 'tragic flaw' because it contributes to the hero's lack of perfection and leads to their downfall.

For example, in Sophocles' play 'Antigone', the tragic hero, Creon, is too prideful (also known as hubris) which leads to his downfall. Similarly, in another Greek tragedy 'Oedipus Rex', Oedipus' tragic flaw is his arrogance and ignorance of the truth, which eventually brings about his demise.

The concept of hamartia is an important element in Greek tragedies as it teaches the audience through the character's mistakes and flaws. The tragedy typically involves a character of noble birth and deals with themes of pride, fate, and the consequences of one's actions.