hamartia
Say it: huh-MAR-tee-uh /ˌhɑːməˈtiːə/ · noun
What “hamartia” means
A hero's flaw or mistake that causes their downfall.
More precisely: The fatal flaw or error that leads to a tragic hero's downfall.
When to use it
A literary term for explaining how a tragic character's own flaw or serious mistake helps bring about their ruin.
Memory trick
Greek hamartia means error or fault: the mistake that brings the hero down.
Similar words
tragic flaw, fatal flaw, failing
Where it comes from
Greek, 'error, fault', a term from Aristotle's Poetics.
Quick check
A tragic queen's jealousy makes her dismiss her only loyal adviser, leaving her kingdom defenceless. What causes her downfall?
hamartia or bad luck?
Show the answer
hamartia
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