Romeo And Juliet Tragic Hero

In any tragedy, a tragic hero is a protagonist who makes a judgement error that ends up leading to his destruction whether it be mental or physical. Three main theories of the tragic hero are the Aristotelian model, the Shakespearean model, and the modern tragic hero. Each model has five defining characteristics, which are nobility, hamartia, downfall, anagnorisis, and suffering. In the Shakespearean mode of tragedy , the play Romeo and Juliet best models the tragic hero. For instance, nobility is characterized by being upper class and having elevated character. Romeo satisfies both these criteria through his position as an heir of the Montagues who are revealed as highly respected family in the prologue of the play. In addition, Romeo’s hamartia,

Elvis Presley was born to poor working parents (Encyclopedia: Presley, Elvis Aron). Later they moved to Memphis, Tennessee where his career began. However, later in his life he also had hamartia in the fact that he was careless and greedy. Because of his economically poor upbringing he was never sure he wouldn't fall back into poverty; therefore, he wanted to stay in the spotlight. Doing everything he could to remain growing in fame, he started becoming addicted to a variety of prescription drugs and began to live carelessly (Marsh). Eventually, after a rollercoaster of fame, his career gradually began its path down. His recordings came to a halt and his shows worsened in the last 2 years of his life. His lifestyle contributed greatly to the downfall of his career. He was surrounded by people who used him for a social advantage so he lived nocturnally and became a recluse (Marsh). In the end of his downfall he had anagnorisis. He knew he had a problem, but did nothing to change it. He became mentally paralyzed because of his childhood life. He wanted to stay famous so much he wouldn't change his life, even though his lifestyle was going to end up killing him. Soon after his anagnorisis, he died. The suffering Presley endured carried on from his downfall to his death. Elvis died right before he was supposed to begin another tour at the age of 42 (Biography.com Editors). Today Presley still remains the King of Rock and Roll. Looking back on his life, Elvis Presley fits gracefully into the Shakespearean tragic hero