Hamartia

In the very end, Othello tragically dies alongside his wife. He tragically fell from being the prestigious Moor to a murderous lunatic who believed in falsifications of his own wife. His focus in negativities, such as heavily viewing the possibility of his wife being unfaithful towards him instead of earnestly focusing on the positive possibility that Desdemona, his wife, is actually remaining faithful towards him, and the abundant hedonism in the play, such as his drastic desire for vengeance…

The cultural and literary phenomenon set forth by J.K. Rowling enraptured an audience spanning many generations, inviting her readers to immerse themselves in the fantastical wizarding world bound by her seven novels. Rowling rewards her versed readers; while the Harry Potter novels are ones easily (and presumably most often) enjoyed by their younger devotees, they craft an allegorical puzzle for an informed audience. Rowling makes brilliant use of the classical tradition to provide the…

How often do we stop to consider the traits our favorite heroes possess? How often do we realize that these characteristics may mean much more than we think? Small things that may appear to common amongst the characters of many novels and stories may actually prove that a common, generic hero is much more. That character may truly be the tragic hero of his or her own personal calamity. Things such as the minor flaws a hero possesses and the downfall they face are not regarded as anything more…

“It’s pretty isn’t it old sport?...Haven’t you ever seen it before?” (Fitzgerald 64) With innocent Daisy dressed in white, curmudgeonly Tom and his blue car, and Mr. Jay Gatsby himself with bouts of yellow all about him, readers of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby can pick up little hints that these specific colors being used throughout the novel is not a mere coincidence. In fact, some readers may argue that these variety of tones show greater, deeper insight into these character’s psyche…

In the end of Shakespeare’s play, Othello, the Moor of Venice, Othello, the protagonist, tragically dies beside his wife, Desdemona. He tragically lost his position of being the prestigious Moor by unknowingly transforming into a murderous lunatic since he believed in falsifications concerning his own wife. His focus on the negative possibility of Desdemona being unfaithful towards him instead of earnestly focusing on the positive possibility that Desdemona is remaining faithful towards him, and…

He is proud, a common trait in heroes of his stature. This trait is a common hamartia and reason for their downfall. In the preface of the text, Raeburn notes the parallel between Ajax and Philoctetes in this regard - that, when presented with a solution to their dilemma that can only be achieved through humiliation, the hero will…

Throughout time the concept of a hero has changed. Although the meaning has remained the same over the years, what defines them varies. This is shown when analyzing and comparing texts from different time periods such as Beowulf, Lanval, The faerie Queene, and Oroonoko. All four texts present a hero and share some similarities and differences. Each text was written during different time periods therefore each society having different morals and views which reflects what they defined a hero to…

people have desirable qualities and admirable virtues that may seem like perfection, but underneath they have more serious flaws in their character. In Chinua Achebe’s literary work Things Fall Apart, the main character Okonkwo struggles with his hamartia, or fatal flaw. Born to a lazy, effeminate father, Okonkwo lives in constant fear of failing the same way his father, Unoka, did. In order to overcome the poverty incurred by his of his father’s choices, Okonkwo blocks off his heart and mind to…

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter, readers are introduced to Pearl, the result of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale's adulterous acts. Pearl is mentioned or discussed in all of but four chapters of the novel and the conclusion, yet her significance or role in Hawthorne's novel receives very little attention. Hawthorne is able to paint her picture delicately through his description of her physical appearance and spiritual qualities, his presentation of her as the link between…

Girish Karnad’s use of Transfiguration as a literary device in Hayavadana and Nagamandala provides the reader with numerous prospects to explore human consciousness from various perspectives. The theme of identity crisis is revealed through transfiguration. Through his imaginative skills, Karnad introduces transfiguration of characters in his plays to entertain his audience. The objective of this study is to highlight the fulfilment of desires of the characters- Padmini in Hyavadana and Rani in…