tragic hero

[traj-ik heer-oh]

noun

1. a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat.

   Oedipus, the classic tragic hero.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragic hero¹

First recorded in 1710–20

When To Use

What is a tragic hero?

A tragic hero is a character in a dramatic tragedy who has virtuous and sympathetic traits but ultimately meets with suffering or defeat.Something tragic is sadly disastrous, such as the untimely death of a loved one. A hero is someone who has accomplished special achievements and is viewed as a role model for others. In literature, tragic specifically refers to a play that is a tragedy (as opposed to a comedy), and a hero is the protagonist.You’ll see a tragic hero in many dramas, such as Oedipus in Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex or Romeo in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Outside of classic literature, however, tragic hero is used more generally for characters who have a dark past or experience a downfall, such as Batman in DC Comics or Severus Snape in Harry Potter.