Hamartia, in a literary work refers to a hero's_________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what hamartia means when used about a hero (protagonist) in a literary work.

Step 2: Explain the concept Hamartia comes from Greek and was used by Aristotle in his Poetics to describe tragedy. It refers to the error or defect in a tragic hero that leads to their downfall. It is often called a "tragic flaw," though it can also be a mistake in judgment.

Examples:

• Macbeth: his vaulting ambition
• Othello: his jealousy and gullibility
• Oedipus: his pride and his ignorance of his true identity
• Okonkwo (Things Fall Apart): his fear of weakness and his rash temper

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Tragic flaw: Correct. This is the standard definition of hamartia.
• B. Inordinate ambition: This is one particular example of a flaw (as in Macbeth). It is not the general meaning of the term.
• C. Strength of character: This is the opposite of a flaw.
• D. Good works: This has nothing to do with hamartia.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. Tragic flaw.

Exam tip: Remember "Hamartia = Hero's flaw." Both start with an "H" sound. Be careful not to confuse it with hubris (excessive pride), which is often one type of hamartia, and catharsis (the emotional release the audience feels at the end of a tragedy).