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Hamartia
01
a negative trait or quality of a fictional character that leads to their downfall or contributes to their struggles or conflicts throughout the story
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
hamartias
What is "hamartia"?
Hamartia is a literary term that refers to a character's tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to their downfall. This flaw is often a fundamental weakness or mistake that causes the character to make poor decisions or missteps, ultimately resulting in significant consequences. Hamartia is a key element in tragedy, as it helps to illustrate the character’s vulnerability and the impact of their actions on their fate.
