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MA English Literature Hamartia — practice questions

Explore 2 free Hamartia questions in MA English Literature English Literature. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Hamartia questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–2 of 2.

Aristotle's term for the tragic hero's error or frailty is:Read the answer and worked solution →'Hamartia' means:Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

Aristotle's term for the tragic hero's error or frailty is:

  1. Catharsis
  2. Hamartia
  3. Hubris
  4. Telos
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Correct answer: B. Hamartia

1. Hamartia denotes 'some error or frailty' bringing about misfortune. 2. Crucially, Aristotle distinguishes it from vice/depravity. 3. The protagonist must NOT be 'eminently good and just.' _Source: Project Gutenberg #1974 — Aristotle's Poetics — "whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty"_

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'Hamartia' means:

  1. Bad luck
  2. Royal birth
  3. Tragic error
  4. Comic mistake
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Correct answer: C. Tragic error

1. Aristotle distinguishes hamartia from vice. 2. It is 'some error or frailty.' 3. It causes the protagonist's fall. _Source: Project Gutenberg #1974 — Aristotle's Poetics — "some error or frailty"_

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