English Literature - Tragic Terms

Cards (6)

  • What is a Hamartia?

    It is a tragic flaw of a tragic character - e.g. Blanche's hamartia is desire and Hamlet's hamartia is his inability to act
  • What is a catalyst?

    It speeds up events in the play - e.g. Blanche's catalyst could be her desire
  • What is hubris?

    It is excessive arrogance and pride - e.g. Blanche's hubris is her physical appearance
  • What is Peripeteia?

    It is the tragic character's sudden realisation that everything has gone wrong - e.g. Blanche's realisation that her deception and lies have been revealed
  • What is Anagnorisis?

    A tragic character's sudden epiphany - e.g. Reveal of Blanche's lies and Hamlet's realisation of Claudius' betrayal
  • What is Catharsis?

    It is an emotional release