hamartia

[hɑːˈmɑːtiə]

hamartia Definition

• 1. a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine
• 2. a mistake or error in judgement

Using hamartia: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hamartia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Macbeth's ambition was his hamartia, leading to his tragic end.

• Example

  Oedipus' pride was his hamartia, causing his downfall.

• Example

  Her inability to trust others proved to be her hamartia.

hamartia Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for hamartia

• error
• mistake
• fault
• tragic flaw

Phrases with hamartia

• fatal hamartia

  a flaw that ultimately leads to the tragic end of a character

  Example

  His fatal hamartia was his inability to let go of his past.

• tragic hamartia

  a flaw that causes the tragic end of a character

  Example

  Her tragic hamartia was her inability to see the truth.

• comic hamartia

  a flaw that is humorous and does not lead to a tragic end

  Example

  His comic hamartia was his tendency to always forget his keys.

Origins of hamartia

from Greek 'hamartanein', meaning 'to miss the mark'

📌

Summary: hamartia in Brief

The term 'hamartia' [hɑːˈmɑːtiə] refers to a fatal flaw or error in judgement that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine. It can also refer to a mistake or error in judgement in general. Examples include Macbeth's ambition and Oedipus' pride. 'Hamartia' can be further categorized into fatal, tragic, and comic types.