Andacar
Andacar
Since: May, 2013
Andacar
Jan 2nd 2023 at 11:30:44 AM
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Lord Jim, both in Conrad's 1900 novel and the superb 1965 film adaption starring Peter O'Toole, is an excellent example of this trope.
Never go creeping around old castles at night: you may find what you’re looking for.
MonsieurMeursault
Since: Nov, 2013
Nov 29th 2013 at 1:51:32 PM
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Troilus in Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde" is a prime example of this. He pursues a relationship with Criseyde, widowed daughter of the traitor Calkas, while defending Troy from the Greeks. Criseyde is then handed over in a prisoner exchange and falls in love with a Greek man called Diomede, and grieved, Troilus dies tragically in battle.
jesse19
Since: Mar, 2013
May 30th 2013 at 8:49:14 PM
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What about John Marston from Red Dead Redemption his a retired outlaw trying to make a life for his family but is forced to kill his former comrades because the goverment Is holding his wife and son hostage.
MagBas
MagBas
Since: Jun, 2009
MagBas
Dec 2nd 2011 at 3:35:51 PM
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- Light Yagami arguably fits this, to a certain degree.
- Oliver Stone's Nixon arguably makes Richard Nixon into a very tragic hero.
Tragic Hero is attracting misuse due to a misunderstanding of what the trope means. It's not about a hero with a tragic backstory. It's about a character with a Fatal Flaw that proves to be their undoing and downfall. And it's not exclusive to heroes since it can also apply to villains (especially villains who believe themselves to be the hero).
The trope's name is the problem because people associate Tragic with "Sadness" and Hero with "Good Guy" rather than the classical meaning "Downfall" and "Protagonist" respectively.