Anti-Hero

1. Anti-Hero A Modern Concept

2. Definition • It was Aristotle who first described the elements of a tragic hero in the classical Greek tragedy plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides 2500 years ago. • The definition of an anti-hero can be subjective. He is usually the protagonist or a key character.

3. Generally, an anti-hero will have the following qualities: it is clear that he has human frailties; he has flaws he is more accessible to readers because he is more "gritty"

4. Additional Qualities • he is often disillusioned with society, or increasingly becomes so . • he often seeks redemption or revenge for his own satisfaction, and sometimes for the greater good of society. • unlike the classical tragic hero, he doesn't always think about what the right, moral thing to do is- he often thinks about what's right for him.

5. Additional Qualities • he is often misunderstood by others in his society • he could perhaps be called a noble criminal or a vigilante • qualities normally belonging to villains - such as amorality, greed and violent tendencies - are tempered with more human, identifiable and even noble traits

6. Additional Qualities their noble motives are pursued by breaking the law; a.k.a. "the ends justify the means" increased moral complexity and rejection of traditional values

7. Examples, anyone? Information for this presentation was found on http://english.learnhub.com/lesson/7614-anti-heroes-in-literature.