What are tragic flaw?

In literature and drama, a tragic flaw is a personality trait or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of the protagonist, often resulting in their death. Although the tragic flaw is often a negative quality, it can also be a positive attribute taken to an extreme. Tragic flaws are often closely related to the protagonist's strengths and ambitions.

Here are some examples of tragic flaws:

- Pride: The protagonist is overly proud and arrogant, leading to their downfall. Examples of pride as a tragic flaw include Shakespeare's Othello and Greek mythology's Icarus.

- Ambition: The protagonist is driven by an insatiable desire for power or status, which ultimately leads to their ruin. Shakespeare's Macbeth and Greek mythology's King Midas exemplify ambition as a tragic flaw.

- Love: The protagonist's love for another person or thing becomes their undoing. Examples of love as a tragic flaw include Romeo and Juliet and the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

- Jealousy: The protagonist's intense jealousy and envy of others lead to their downfall. Greek mythology's Medea and Shakespeare's Othello exemplify jealousy as a tragic flaw.

- Revenge: The protagonist is consumed by a desire for revenge, leading them to make destructive choices. Shakespeare's Hamlet and Greek mythology's Electra are examples of characters driven by revenge as their tragic flaw.

It's important to note that tragic flaws are not always simple weaknesses, but rather complex character traits that can make the protagonist relatable and sympathetic despite their flaws.