Essay Database

In Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor Of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard represents an incarnation of the Classical ‘tragic hero.’ In Greek literature, a tragic hero is a well-known and respected individual whose tragedy usually involves some kind of fall from glory. His downfall has been precipitated by his own flaw of character or judgment, some mistake or series of mistakes that has serious consequences. A key element is that the hero's experiences don't simply end with …

…his novels to the stark and simple setting of the Greek theater, giving his novels something of that drama's intensity and sharpness of focus. This grimly pessimistic view of man's nature qualifies Michael Henchard as a Classical Tragic Hero; his own inner faults ultimately bring him down from his high post. Darkness and doubt blanket the tale with Michael Henchard’s forever unresolved and unpredictable capacities for good, and for evil. Bibliography none! my head!...