In his treatise on dramatic theory titled Poetics, Aristotle defines tragic heroes as characters who have heroic traits that earn them the sympathy of the audience, but also have flaws or make mistakes that ultimately lead to their own downfall. Identify the term used by him to define the ‘tragic flaw’ that leads to the hero’s downfall.

Correct option is D

Explanation:

In Aristotle’s Poetics, the term hamartia is used to refer to the tragic flaw or error in judgment of the protagonist that leads to their downfall. This flaw is not necessarily a moral failing but can also be a misstep or a mistake made in the course of action. Aristotle emphasizes that the tragic hero’s fall is inevitable due to this inherent flaw, even though they may have noble traits that make them sympathetic to the audience.
Hamartia is an essential part of Aristotle's concept of tragic drama, as it allows the audience to relate to the hero's inner conflict and mistakes. The tragic flaw makes the hero's fall feel tragically unavoidable and evokes pity and fear in the audience. For example, in Oedipus Rex, Oedipus’s hubris (pride) and ignorance of fate lead to his tragic downfall, and in Macbeth, his unchecked ambition results in his destruction.

Thus, hamartia is the specific term Aristotle uses to define the tragic flaw that brings about the downfall of the tragic hero.

Information Booster:

Aristotle’s Poetics is one of the foundational texts in the study of dramatic theory, specifically tragedy.

According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is a character who is fundamentally good but has a flaw or makes an error (hamartia) that leads to their downfall. This character must also have a reversal of fortune (peripeteia) and an anagnorisis (recognition of their mistake or fate).

Hamartia is central to Aristotle’s idea of catharsis, the emotional purification the audience undergoes when witnessing the tragic events unfold. The audience feels pity for the hero and fear for themselves, creating a purging of emotions.

Hamartia in Tragedy:

- Hamartia refers to the tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of the protagonist.

- It is a flaw in the hero’s character that makes the tragedy inevitable, even though the hero may have noble traits that make them relatable to the audience.

- In many tragedies, the flaw can manifest as hubris (pride), ambition, jealousy, or impulsiveness, all of which can lead to irreversible consequences.

For example:

Oedipus in Oedipus Rex exhibits hubris and denial of fate, leading to his tragic end.
Macbeth in Macbeth exhibits unchecked ambition, which causes his moral decay and eventual downfall.
Hamartia is one of the key components in understanding the structure of classical tragedies and their emotional impact on the audience.

Aristotle’s Influence on Tragic Drama:

Aristotle’s Poetics laid the foundation for understanding the structure of tragedy and the role of character flaws in driving the plot.

His theory of catharsis suggests that the audience, by witnessing the downfall of a sympathetic hero, experiences emotional purification. This connection between the tragic flaw and audience emotions makes hamartia central to Aristotle’s theory.

Additional Knowledge:

"Catharsis" → 
Catharsis is the emotional release or purging of emotions that the audience experiences after witnessing the tragedy unfold. Hamartia causes the tragedy, and catharsis is the emotional reaction to the hero’s downfall.

"Peripeteia" → 
Peripeteia refers to the reversal of fortune in the plot, where the hero’s situation changes drastically, often leading to their downfall. It is the result of the hero's hamartia—the mistake or flaw that sets the tragic events in motion.

"Mimesis" → 
Mimesis refers to the imitation of life in literature, specifically in tragedy. It is the representation of reality in art, a concept that Aristotle applied to both drama and poetry.