Genre Studies- Unit-III HAMARTIA

 

HAMARTIA

·         This word is first used by Aristotle in his work "Poetics". Aristotle described Hamartia is an error of judgement or a mistake that was made by a character in a theatrical tragedy.

·         By Aristotle's definition, the Hamartia, or mistake, could have been the result by any character. Often the character was ignorant of the eventual outcome of the decision.

What are the other interpretations of the word?

1.      The fatal flaw present in a tragic hero.

2.      Tragic flaw - psychological or behavioral

3.      Translation of the Bible into Greek

·         Technical translation of Hamartia in the strict and properly limited sense, the fact that it has not been adopted, and it is far more commonly used for a characteristics moral failing in an otherwise predominantly good one.

·         Hamartia is an error which is derived from ignorance of some material fact or circumstances.

·         The theory of the 'Tragic Flaw' a theory which appears at first site, to be a most convenient device for analysing tragedy but which leads the unfortunate user of into a quick sand of absurdities in which he rapidly sinks, dragging the tragedies down with him.

·         Aristotelian sense of the term is a "mistake or error of judgement", and the dead done in consequence of it is an erratum.

·         The meaning of the Greek word is closer to "mistake" than to "flaw", "a wrong step blindly taken", "the missing of mark", and it is best interpretation in the context of what Aristotle has to say about plot and "the law of probability or necessity".

·         In the ideal tragedy, claims Aristotle, the protagonist will mistakenly bring about his downfall - not because he is sinful or morally weak, but because he does not know enough.

·         The role of Hamartia in tragedy comes not inevitably of its consequences.

·         Two of the best examples of Hamartia or fatal flaw, in a character come from two of Shakespeare's best-known tragedies.

·         Othello was a jealous and proud man and Iago was able to exploit these traits until they eventually brought his downfall.

·         Macbeth was an overly ambitious man who used murder to achieve his success and was alternately haunted by his actions.

·         An example from an ancient Greek play is Oedipus, he had a remarkably short fuse and made very hasty decisions when he was angry this angry. This anger, like Hamartia of the other characters mentioned, led to his downfall.