The Greek Tragedy set the stage for all of the modern day books, movies, and television shows featuring tragic endings due to an error the protagonist, or tragic hero, made. You have most likely already seen or read a tragedy containing a tragic hero without even realizing that the ideas came originally from Aristotle’s theories about tragedy! After fully understanding the Greek Tragedy and tragic hero, you will view a modern-day film that is a tragedy and features a tragic hero. Then, you will examine the film and write an analysis essay that compares and contrasts the tragic hero in your chosen film and the tragic hero in your chosen play from the module (either Oedipus or Antigone). The Tragic Hero Compare and Contrast Essay should answer: How are the two tragic heroes the same? How are the two tragic heroes different?
Before Beginning the Essay:
1. Choose and view a film that is a tragedy and includes a tragic hero
2. Locate evidence in the film that aligns with the elements of a tragedy/tragic hero (you can paraphrase the evidence from the film but remember that paraphrases require citations)
3. Begin crafting a compare/contrast essay
*Remember that in order to receive a passing grade, your essay MUST include specific, cited evidence as detailed in the Research and MLA Module. Essays without specific, cited evidence will not receive a passing grade*
Organizing a Compare/Contrast Essay:
• Thesis: Should include both titles and both authors of the works being compared and contrasted plus the essay topic
o For Example: __________ by ___________ and ____________ by _____________ reveal protagonists with similarities and differences who serve as tragic heroes according to the ideas of Aristotle.
• Organization Option 1: Block Approach
o One paragraph comparing both tragic heroes and the next paragraph contrasting both tragic heroes
o For Example: One body paragraph analyzing the similarities of both tragic heroes and the second paragraph analyzing the differences of both tragic heroes
• Organization Option 2: Point by Point Approach
o One paragraph talking about a point of one tragic hero (such as the tragic flaw) from the first work and the next paragraph talking about the same point (such as the tragic flaw) from the second work (this would include similarities and differences from the first tragic her)
o For Example: One body paragraph analyzing the tragic flaw of the first tragic hero and the next body paragraph analyzing the tragic flaw of the second tragic hero
Proofreading Checklist: Look for the following errors when proofreading
• Spelling errors
• Comma, Semi-Colon, and Colon errors
• MLA format errors
• Fragment and Run-On errors
• Apostrophe errors
Remember the following requirements while polishing the final essay:
• MLA format
• Introduction
• Paragraph form
• Proper thesis statement
• Topic sentences that relate to the thesis statement
• On topic development and transitions
• Evidence that supports claims
• Integrated evidence
• Correct in-text citations
• Analysis of evidence that does not summarize
• Conclusion sentences for each body paragraph
• Conclusion paragraph that does not summarize
• Proper Works Cited page
Submit your completed assignment when finished. For grading criteria, refer to the assessment rubrics included in the sidebar of the course module.
