Consider the definitions for tragedy, tragic hero, hamartia, and hubris in terms of Antigone and Home Fire. How do they compare to one another?

Hamartia refers to the characteristical flaw that is common across tragic heroes. It is the ambition, tyranny, stubbornness or excess pride that eventually results in his or her downfall. This idea of Hamartia is something that people can relate to or feel some sort of connection to. Typically the characters that possess Hamartia are designed to be similar to the regular person in the sense that they are not presented as overly evil or overly virtuous. This sense of connection to the main characters makes tragedies alluring, however, it is also the irony that is alluring. Looking at Oedipus’ downfall, it was clear that his excessive pride or ‘hubris’ was his key flaw. Throughout the play, you begin to realise how his own ignorance and hubris whilst trying to avoid his fate is what makes it happen. Tragedies are designed to allure the audience through pity between themselves and the tragic hero, playing on the personal connection that playwrights create between the audience and the tragic heroes.