A comparative study of the tragic hero and his fatal flaw : a vision of tragedy with reference to Aristotle, Homer, Shakespeare, and Marlowe

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the concept of tragedy and its tragic heroes. It centres on the characteristics that would depict and describe a figure as a tragic hero. The notion of immortality works hand in hand with the idea of a hero. Most heroes come to a bad end but they suffer because other people need them and not for their own sakes. Their tragic downfall is probably part of the curse that they have to endure. However, due to their tragic death, their names will never be forgotten. Aristotle's Poetics is discussed in Chapter One and it is used as the main framework to support and prove that Homer's Hector and Achilles in his Iliad can truly be described as tragic heroes. Chapter Two will feature a comparative study of Homer and William Shakespeare's Achilles and Hector in the Iliad and Troilus and Cressida. It will also include a close analysis of Shakespeare's main figure, Troilus. Ultimately, the result of this dissertation is that, unlike Homer, Achilles is not such a main figure in Shakespeare's play which centres more on Hector and Troilus. This is because Achilles as a character does not evolve whilst Troilus transforms from a lovesick child to a mature man. Hector, on the other hand, is a dynamic character and contrary to Homer is not the hero that the reader portrays him to be. This emphasises the fact that Troilus and Cressida focuses on personal identity rather than heroes and their virtues. The play also depicts how the reputations, heroic virtues, and immortality of Homer's famous heroes are deflated and debunked by Shakespeare.