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Unit 4: Aristotle: The Poetics: Ideal Tragic Hero, Comedy

• However, Aristotle’s dictum is quite justified on the principle that, “higher the state, the Notes
greater the fall that follow ”, or because heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes,
while the death of a beggar passes unnoticed. But it should be remembered that Aristotle
nowhere says that the hero should be a king or at least royally descended. As in order
matters, so in his this respect also, they were the Renaissance critics who distorted Aristotle
and made the qualification more rigid and narrow.

4.5 Key-Words

1. Anagnorisis ("tragic recognition or insight") : According to Aristotle, a moment of
clairvoyant insight or understanding in the
mind of the tragic hero as he suddenly
comprehends the web of fate that he has
entangled himself in.
2. Hamartia ("tragic error") : A fatal error or simple mistake on the part of
the protagonist that eventually leads to the
final catastrophe. A metaphor from archery,
hamartia literally refers to a shot that misses
the bullseye. Hence it need not be an
egregious "fatal flaw" (as the term hamartia
has traditionally been glossed). Instead, it
can be something as basic and inescapable
as a simple miscalculation or slip-up.
3. Hubris ("violent transgression") : The sin par excellence of the tragic or over-
aspiring hero. Though it is usually translated
as pride, hubris is probably better understood
as a sort of insolent daring, a haughty
overstepping of cultural codes or ethical
boundaries.

4.6 Review Questions

1. What is Aristotle’s definition of Tragedy?
2. Discuss the poetics as an Ideal Tragic Hero.
3. Write a short note on:
(i) The Comic Hero (ii) The Tragic Hero
Answers: Self-Assessment
1. (i)(a) (ii)(a) (iii)(b) (iv)(a) (v)(b)
4.7 Further Readings

1. Abrams, M.H. Geoffrey Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Delhi: Akash
Press, 2007.
2. Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. S.H. Butcher. New York: Courier Dover Publications, 1997.
3. Daiches, David. English Literature. California: University of California Press, 1968.
4. Daiches, David. The Penguin Companion of English Literature. London:
McGraw-Hill, 1971.
5. Durham, W.H. Critical Essays of the Eighteenth Century. UK: Russell and Russell,
1961.

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