Hamartia

In the novel, Clockwork Angel, Cassandra Clare asserted that “Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.” Dating back to Ancient Greek and Rome, literature was perceived as the dominant and best means of communication. Poets and authors structured their passionate thoughts into the form of stanzas and managed to captivate and enchant their readers. Literature and its ability to grasp the attention of society is an unwavering trend. Literature and its impact is a…

untimely demise. He initially articulates rational justifications for the implementation of his draconian laws and punishments. However, Creon’s hubris, as evident in his refusal to accept his prophecy conveyed Tiresias, proves to be his tragic flaw, or hamartia, and such experiences help Creon to realize his tragic flaw and understand his place in society and in the universe. The cause of Creon’s downfall, his hubris manifests when he king refuses to listen to others while also believing that…

Continuing, “The High Middle Ages” (1200-1400), the Gieses broke the era into two centuries; the 13th century was considered the “Golden Century, an era of affluence and growth” in contrast the 14th century of catastrophe and contraction (Gies 166). The 6th chapter is devoted to the High Middle Ages, the authors elaborate on the continuation of technological momentums that the Europeans experienced during this first century of this era. Another advancement that must be mentioned of is the…

How does a comparison of Machiavelli's the Prince and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar reflect the way their social, cultural and historical contexts can influence their choice of language forms and features and the ideas, value and attitudes? Does the end justify the means? I am sure you all would have your own personal opinions in response to this perplexing question. Two composers in the Renaissance era also pondered upon the issue. Consequentialist Machiavelli in the political treatise The Prince…

Brutus agrees to help Cassius kill Caesar because he believes Caesar is ambitious although “[he knows] no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general.” (II.i.10-11) His easily manipulative mind is twisted by Cassius’ lies which displays the hamartia Brutus possesses proving that he is the tragic hero. Brutus is persuaded enough to side with the conspirators and aid them in their plot to kill Caesar. He thinks that what he is doing is right; because it is for the people of Rome but in…

morally correct for fear of being murdered at the hangs of Creon. However, Antigone, upon death, exemplified a hunger for kleos and excessive amounts of pride even in accordance with her. Antigone, like all tragic heroes, is endowed with a fatal flaw (hamartia). Her excessive pride often times negatively affected her decisions and distorts her values. Her suicide paints the image that she was a martyr for her already dead brother’s justice, which could suggest she was still attempting to attain…

Hamlet has brought about his own fate, and the fate of Denmark, with his hamartia, or tragic flaw. Having just lost his father to poisoning by his own uncle Claudius, Hamlet seeks out to avenge his death by almost any means necessary. Having been raised as nobility, he is very well trained with education and he is, perhaps, the most intelligent and cautious person in this play. While Hamlet is very smart and extensively plans his revenge on his uncle and he succeeds, he still manages to get…

story that beings in the middle. For example, In the Odyssey, The book starts out with Odysseus on calypso’s island and washing up on the king’s island. Then he goes back in a flashback to explain what happened before the was stranded by himself. Hamartia (Epic Flaw)- A tragic flaw leading to the downfall of a hero. An example of this is in the Iliad when Achilles gets shot in his heel. This is a tragic end to one of greece’s greatest fighters and warriors of all…

In the novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is a tragic hero. Okonkwo is the protagonist of Things fall apart and in the novel Okonkwo demonstrates hamartia, peripeteia, as well as anagnorisis. Okonkwo is a hardworking bellwether of the Igbo community of Umuofia. Okonkwo’s tragic imperfection is his trepidation of failure. His father was the derivative of this trepidation. Okonkwo's father was an indolent character who had accumulated so much debt he owed every single individual in the clan some…

will only lead to his downfall. This cocky side of Oedipus is shown as he continuously interrogates Tirseias for the truth, as he believes the truth will only benefit him when in fact it has the opposite effect. This presumptuous side of him is his hamartia, his fatal flaw that will eventually lead to his downfall, which was highlighted through Tiresias' patience as he is pampered with…