The pride displayed by tragic heroes elevates them rather than diminishes them Karol Seroczynski 12th Grade

The idea that the pride displayed by tragic heroes elevates them rather than diminishes them can be proven in relation to Shakespeare’s “Richard II” and Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” In both texts the protagonists display a great deal of pride that can be seen to elevate their characters, though the argument that they are simply hubristic can be made which in turn can be seen to diminish them.

Within Shakespeare’s “Richard II” the tragic hero of the play, King Richard, displays a great feeling of pride regarding his belief that he is God's anointed deputy and this absolute faith elevates him. This pride is shown in Act 3 Scene 2, when Richard is presented with a stream of shocking news that threaten his Kingship and he is shown to spiral into a seesaw of emotions. In the scene Richard is shown how much he relies on the notion that a divine power is protecting him, when he speaks about Bolingbroke’s actions against himself, he finds comfort in this divine power, he speaks,“[When Bolingbroke] Shall see us rising in our throne, the east, his treasons will sit blushing in his face, not able to endure the sight of day, but self-affrighted tremble at his sin.” Shakespeare’s metaphorical imagery focuses the audience on the trust...