There are many different definitions of a tragic hero. Aristotle claimed "The tragic hero evokes our pity and terror if he is neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil but a mixture of both. The tragic hero evokes our pity because he is not evil and his misfortune is greater than he deserves, and he evokes our fear because we realize we are fallible and could make the same error." (www.killdevilhill.com) Another definition describes …showed first 75 words of 643 total…

…showed last 75 words of 643 total…get a joyful feeling from seeing the good in people." (Ashe) "Following the plight of a tragic hero we feel comradery and understanding to see that people in plays and movies are just like us and have flaws and assets as do we." (Creamer) Noble stature, tragic flaw, free choice, punishment exceeding the crime, increased awareness, and production of catharsis, all characteristics of one great character in one great play, John Proctor of The Crucible.