Thomas Hardy’s Conception of a Tragic Hero as Compared to William Shakespeare's (A Comparative Study)

Abstract

In this paper a thorough study and analysis are to expose the differences between William Shakespeare’s concept of the tragic hero and that of Thomas Hardy’s with short hints to the background of tragedy and tragic hero among other old nations such as the Roman and the Greek. The paper will divert to show the concept of tragic hero to Shakespeare whom he believed that he should be ‘better than we are.’ Shakespeare exhibited his tragic hero who is high in rank as suffering a change in fortune that is from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act, to which he is led to his hamartia or the error of judgment. Then the paper exhibits Hardy’s concept of the tragic hero who is low in rank, quite, innocent and simple, from the folk of the country-side of the Wessex. The paper then offers a comparative study between both concepts of the tragic hero. Finally the researcher depicts the conflict that has been demonstrated between these tragic heroes and fate which, at the end, fate proves victorious.