Tragic hero

A central character in a tragedy whose downfall involves their own choices or errors, often provoking both pity and fear.

The central character of a tragedy, whose downfall is connected to their actions, errors or weaknesses. ‘Hero’ does not mean that the character is morally good throughout.

A tragic hero is the central figure whose downfall shapes a tragedy, not necessarily someone who remains morally admirable. Macbeth begins as a celebrated warrior who protects Duncan’s kingdom. His movement from honoured defender to murderous ruler gives his fall its scale.

A central character whose downfall involves their own choices or errors; their suffering can provoke both pity and fear.

The central character of a tragedy whose downfall invites the audience to consider both their responsibility and the loss of their potential.

A central character whose downfall is explored in a tragedy; their choices may interact with social pressures, chance and forces beyond their control.

A central character whose downfall arouses sympathy and whose qualities, choices and circumstances contribute to a tragedy.

A central character whose downfall involves significant errors or weaknesses and invites both sympathy and criticism.

A central character whose downfall involves their own choices or errors as well as circumstances, often provoking pity despite their responsibility.

A central character whose downfall involves significant suffering and destructive choices or errors, often alongside admirable qualities.

A central character whose fall from a position of significance produces the suffering at the heart of a tragedy.

A central character whose downfall involves their own errors or flaws, and whose suffering can create pity as well as condemnation.

The central figure in a tragedy whose downfall is connected to their choices, weaknesses and circumstances.

A central character whose downfall produces pity or fear; their choices may contribute to their destruction alongside circumstances beyond their control.

A central character whose downfall produces pity and fear; admirable qualities may coexist with errors or weaknesses that contribute to the tragedy.

A central character whose downfall is explored in a tragedy; the character need not be simply good, bad or responsible for everything that happens.

Reading Romeo as a tragic hero does not require reducing the whole play to one personal flaw: his haste interacts with the feud, family pressure and failed communication.

A central character whose downfall and suffering provoke pity and invite reflection on the causes of tragedy.

A central figure in a tragedy, usually of high status, whose failings contribute to their downfall.

A central character whose downfall involves their own flaws or errors, and whose suffering can provoke pity as well as condemnation.

The central character in a tragedy whose fall from an elevated position is shaped by weaknesses, choices and surrounding forces.

A central character in a tragedy whose downfall is shaped by choices, personal weaknesses and/or forces beyond their control.

Calling Romeo a tragic hero need not mean reducing everything to one fatal flaw. His impulsiveness matters, but so do the feud, social pressures and unfortunate events beyond his control.

A central character whose downfall produces pity and fear, often through the interaction of personal choices, a damaging weakness and external pressures.

The central character of a tragedy, whose fall from a position of greatness can provoke both pity and fear.

The central figure in a tragedy whose downfall involves their choices, weaknesses and circumstances.

The central character in a tragedy, whose errors or vulnerabilities contribute to a destructive downfall.

The central character of a tragedy whose downfall involves personal errors or weaknesses as well as forces acting against them.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720