here

TRAGEDY AND THE TRAGIC HERO Over 2,300 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote his definition of a **tragedy**. According to Aristotle, “Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions.” In other words, to be a tragedy, a play must make the audience pity the characters and make them fear the same consequences the character (usually the protagonist) experiences. Similarly, Aristotle defined the concept of a tragic hero. A **tragic hero** is a protagonist with a fatal (also called tragic) flaw which eventually leads to his downfall. The Aristotelian tragic hero is introduced as happy, powerful, and privileged, and ends up dying or suffering immensely because of his own actions or mistakes. The tragic hero must have four characteristics: Usually, the realization of tragic flaws results in an **epiphany**, or a sudden realization by the character, audience or both, and a **catharsis**, or a release of emotions which makes the audience fell more at peace.
 * Goodness (a moral and ethical person)
 * Superiority (such as someone with supreme or noble authority or control)
 * A tragic flaw (will eventually lead to his own demise)
 * The eventual realization that his decisions or actions have caused his downfall (faces death or suffering with honor)

DIRECTIONS: Many scholars feel that John Proctor is the classic tragic hero. Analyze the character of John Proctor and the play as a whole by answering the questions below.
 * Activity #1

Copy and paste your questions in to a Word document. Save the word document under yourname in your H drive. You will need to refer to them to complete a second activity.**

Source: Secondary Solutions ** Activity #2: TRAGIC HERO COMPOSITION **  Using your answers to the tragic hero questions, you are going to write a composition in which you discuss whether or not John Proctor is a tragic hero. Define tragic hero in your own words. Do not merely repeat what is listed on the wikispace. Use your answers from questions 1 and 2 to help you lead into your thesis statement regarding John Proctor as a tragic hero. Using your answers to questions 3, 4, and 5, analyze John Proctor’s character. Include textual evidence from the play. Use transitions between ideas. Using you answer from question six, discuss whether or not John Proctor is a tragic hero. Be sure to be specific. Include quotations from the play to support your analysis.
 * 1) In your opinion, what is John Proctor’s tragic (fatal) flaw?
 * 2) When John is first introduced, is he “happy”? Why or why not?
 * 3) How might John be considered a superior or privileged person?
 * 4) In your opinion, is John a moral and/or ethical person? Support your response with textual evidence.
 * 5) At what point does Proctor realize he is facing his own demise? What is his reaction? How is/isn’t this consistent with the characteristics of the tragic hero?
 * 6) Do you feel Proctor is the ideal tragic hero? Why or why not? Explain how he fits or does not fit the definition of a tragic hero.
 * 7) According to the definition, is //The Crucible// a tragedy? Support your response with evidence from the play. Do you feel pity for the characters, especially Proctor?
 * Paragraph One: **
 * Paragraph Two: **
 * Paragraph Three: **

Save your paper to your H drive.