The concept of Tragic Flaw was first introduced by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scholar, in his work "Poetics". According to Aristotle, a tragic flaw, also known as "hamartia" in Greek, is a character trait that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero in a play or work of literature.
The tragic flaw is a personal weakness or error in judgment that is inherent in the character of the hero. This flaw is often related to the character's virtues or strengths, which in turn cause the hero to fail or fall from a position of power and nobility.
Aristotle believed that the tragic hero must have a high social standing, possess a noble character, and experience a reversal of fortune, which results in their downfall. The tragic flaw is often linked to this reversal of fortune and is seen as a crucial element of tragedy.
Examples of tragic flaws in literature include Macbeth's ambition, Oedipus's pride, and Hamlet's indecisiveness. These flaws lead the characters to make decisions that ultimately result in their downfall, and their tragic end serves as a warning to the audience about the dangers of such flaws.
Overall, the concept of tragic flaw remains an important component of tragic literature and continues to influence the way we view and interpret tragic heroes in literature and drama.