Elements that Make a Tragic Hero in Shakespeares Works Essay

Elements that Make a Tragic Hero in Shakespeares Works In all of Shakespeares tragedies, the hero must suffer and in some if not most cases, die. What makes a tragic hero? One has to be a man of high estate: a king, a prince or an officer of some high rank. It was common practice for Shakespeare to tell of his tragic hero through the voices of others around his hero. This way we can understand his conflicts, his struggles, and flaws. Usually the heros own actions and obsessions bring him to his tragic end. (Bradley 2) v The calamities of tragedy do not simply happen, nor are they sent#8212; v The calamities of tragedy proceed mainly from actions, and those, the actions of men. v Shakespeares tragic heroes are†¦show more content†¦If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.(III.II) Brutus is a very important tragic hero in the play. He is of high ranking, (servant of Caesar) and he struggles with conflicts and flaws. (loving Caesar and trying to care for Romes people) His actions brings on the death of Caesar, this makes Brutus an excellent example of a tragic hero. Shakespeares King Lear is an excellent example of two tragic heroes. King Lear himself and his friend Earl of Gloucester. King Lear fits the typical tragic hero outline, he is of high ranking: a king. His tragedies are caused by his bad judgment, arrogance and foolishness. King Lears first mistake is giving up his throne and dividi ng his kingdom among his daughters. He creates a contest amongst the three daughters, in which they must declare their love for him. His daughters Goneril and Regan meet the challenge, but the third daughter Cordelia, does not. She does not express her love like her sisters have even though she is the only daughter who truly loves her father. She is banished by her father. How sharper than a serpents tooth it is#8230;to have a thankless child! Away, away! (I.IV) This is King Lears first of many down falls. In the sub plot Gloucester makes basically the same mistake King Lear makes. Gloucester is a good-natured but naà ¯ve man. Edmund, Gloucesters illegitimate son creates a plan toShow MoreRelatedOthello is Not a Tragic Hero Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pagesdescribed as one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays because the play focuses on its themes of good and evil, military, politics, love and marriage, religion, racial prejudice, gender conflict, and sexuality; but the controversy and debate surrounding Othello is â€Å"Why is Othello a qualification for a tragedy?† Most readers are aware of the many famous deaths or acts of death within the Shakespearean plays. And when the main characters die in Shakespeare’s plays, indeed, the readers wouldRead MoreA Tragic Hero As Used By Shakespeare. 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