On a piece of notebook paper, brainstorm the following:

1. On a piece of notebook paper, brainstorm the following: • Brainstorm all the traits of a hero you can think of and jot them down. You also need to define each of these traits. For example, if you list “bravery,” you need to define, in your own words, what bravery is. • List at least8. • Now brainstorm people you think deserve the title “hero” and jot them down. You also need to explain WHY these people are heroes. • List at least 5. • Finally, brainstorm literary characters who should be considered heroes. You also need to explain WHY these characters are heroes. • List at least 4.

2. Tragic Hero • These characters – called tragic heroes – have human characteristics but are often larger than life • Tragic heroes show great virtue • They also have a serious character flaw or error in judgment that leads to their down fall • This is often called hubris (excessive pride)

3. Tragic Hero The characteristics of a tragic hero include the following: 1. The character should be born into some form of nobility or wisdom. 2. The character has a personality trait that leads to his/her downfall. • The character is doomed to make an error in judgment. • The character should be neither good nor bad, but the audience should be able to identify with the character. • The character is responsible for his/her own fate. • The character will fall from great heights or esteem when s/he realizes s/he has made an irreversible mistake. • The character will face a tragic death with honor.

4. Tragic Heroes in Literature • Oedipus (Oedipus the King by Sophocles) • Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare) • Holden Caufield (The Cather in the Rye by J.D. Salinger) • Hamlet (Hamlet by Shakespeare) • Severus Snape (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling)