Aristotle's tragic hero is typically a complex and morally ambiguous character, who, due to a combination of their own flaws and circumstances, experiences a downfall and ultimately meets an unfortunate fate.
Prufrock, on the other hand, does not encounter a significant reversal of fortune or face imminent doom within the poem. Instead, he is depicted as an introspective and self-conscious individual, struggling with internal fears, doubts, and anxieties that prevent him from fully engaging in life and expressing his desires.
While Prufrock's introspections reveal his emotional depth and internal conflict, his journey does not follow the classic trajectory of a tragic hero. Instead, the poem explores his state of inaction, his inability to take decisive steps and overcome his inhibitions, which leaves him in a state of perpetual stasis.
However, it is worth noting that the poem does not offer a straightforward and definitive interpretation, and some readers may find elements that resonate with the concept of tragedy. For instance, Prufrock's intense preoccupation with social norms and societal expectations could be seen as a form of self-imposed imprisonment that ultimately prevents him from achieving personal fulfillment and happiness.
Ultimately, while J. Alfred Prufrock may display certain characteristics commonly associated with tragic heroes, such as introspection, internal conflicts, and the inability to act decisively, he doesn't fully embody the traditional concept of a tragic hero in the Aristotelian sense.