Aristotle’s view of a tragic hero is not very different from today’s tragic protagonist. The themes are still similar in that there is always a fatal flaw of the hero. Elizabeth Keen is a tragic hero in the show, Blacklist, because of her past, job that revolves around Raymond Reddington, and for her always forgiving Reddington. If either of those elements were different, she would most likely not be a tragic hero.
Elizabeth Keen, known as Liz, had an unusual childhood, and her upbringing connects to why she is the way that she is. In the beginning of the show, Liz, believed that she had a mostly normal childhood for the exception of being adopted. Raymond Reddington—Red— entered her life mysteriously to share some information from her …show more content…
The FBI job that Liz earned is the reason why she met Red, who is on the FBI’s most wanted list. Once the mysterious man, who seemed like her father, entered her world, her peripeteia is enacted; her life was turned upside down. By the end of season two, Liz is wanted for treason, and she is an enemy of the US. In the season two finale show, Jon Bokenkamp said, “It’s an episode that feels like Liz is a Blacklister because the full forces of the FBI are coming for her, but in fact she is more aligned with Red than she has been in the past several episodes,” (“The Blacklist Finale” 2). As Reddington pushes his criminal ways on Liz, he managed to become an informant for the FBI, despite being wanted for treason, but as soon as Liz is wanted, his main goal became helping her escape. Liz cannot help but to care for Reddington, but as she is running from the government, Liz’s anagnorisis finally hits. She knew that ever since she let Reddington into her life she would only know a world full of near death experiences, crime, and corruption. Aristotle said, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Liz knows that Reddington is the root of her downfall, and multiple times throughout the show Liz sees that, but it is not until her wedding day, that turned into a war zone, where she decided to get away from Red—even if it meant leaving everyone she loved (“Mr. Soloman”). Liz’s fate is forever changed by Reddington forcing his way into her life, and each time she realized he was the problem, but her hamartia is what stops her from getting rid of
Elizabeth Keen, known as Liz, had an unusual childhood, and her upbringing connects to why she is the way that she is. In the beginning of the show, Liz, believed that she had a mostly normal childhood for the exception of being adopted. Raymond Reddington—Red— entered her life mysteriously to share some information from her …show more content…
The FBI job that Liz earned is the reason why she met Red, who is on the FBI’s most wanted list. Once the mysterious man, who seemed like her father, entered her world, her peripeteia is enacted; her life was turned upside down. By the end of season two, Liz is wanted for treason, and she is an enemy of the US. In the season two finale show, Jon Bokenkamp said, “It’s an episode that feels like Liz is a Blacklister because the full forces of the FBI are coming for her, but in fact she is more aligned with Red than she has been in the past several episodes,” (“The Blacklist Finale” 2). As Reddington pushes his criminal ways on Liz, he managed to become an informant for the FBI, despite being wanted for treason, but as soon as Liz is wanted, his main goal became helping her escape. Liz cannot help but to care for Reddington, but as she is running from the government, Liz’s anagnorisis finally hits. She knew that ever since she let Reddington into her life she would only know a world full of near death experiences, crime, and corruption. Aristotle said, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Liz knows that Reddington is the root of her downfall, and multiple times throughout the show Liz sees that, but it is not until her wedding day, that turned into a war zone, where she decided to get away from Red—even if it meant leaving everyone she loved (“Mr. Soloman”). Liz’s fate is forever changed by Reddington forcing his way into her life, and each time she realized he was the problem, but her hamartia is what stops her from getting rid of