Hamartia is a literary device used in literature to refer to the tragic flaw of a character that ultimately leads to their downfall. Many authors throughout history have adapted it from ancient Greek drama. In essence, hamartia is an error or mistake made by a protagonist that sets off a chain of events leading up to their eventual demise. This can be anything negative, including hubris (excessive pride) or arrogance, moral weakness, rashness, ignorance, or misjudgment—all of which are examples of traits commonly seen in characters who suffer due to hamartia.
The concept of hamartia dates back as far as Aristotle's Poetics, where he described it as "the change in fortune brought about not by vice but rather through some error on the part of its hero" (Aristotle). This idea was further developed over time, with writers such as Sophocles and Euripides using this technique extensively in their works, with Oedipus Rex being one famous example where Oedipus' hubris led him down the path toward destruction despite his best efforts. Similarly, Shakespeare also incorporated this theme into several plays, including Macbeth, where the eponymous protagonist's ambition resulted in his untimely death at the hands of Macduff after murdering King Duncan for personal gain.
More modern adaptations have included authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, who used this tool frequently throughout his work Crime and Punishment. In the novel, Raskolnikov's inability to comprehend morality leads him astray, resulting in devastating consequences for himself and those around him. This shows us how even if we think our actions are justified, they may still lead us down dangerous paths if we do not take care when making decisions that affect others. Other contemporary authors like J.K. Rowling have also employed this motif within the Harry Potter series, whereby Voldemort's thirst for power eventually brought great pain upon himself instead. These examples prove that no matter what your intentions are, you cannot escape fate if you succumb too easily to temptation without any forethought whatsoever.
So we can certainly say that hamartia is still relevant today, even though it comes from classical tragedies. Even though times have changed, people are still weak and can make mistakes, no matter how much they think they are immune. As long as these types of errors exist, so will hamartia, ensuring its continued use within literature. This literary device especially pertains to dark themes and protagonists suffering immensely, thus highlighting the importance of taking caution when embarking on certain endeavors or facing dire outcomes.