"Tragedy and the Common Man" by Arthur Miller.
Miller states that the root of the underlying struggle that an individual, the tragic hero, endures is that of the necessity to increase his position or status within society- self-worth. "The average man," according to Aristotle, "is one who lives a life of moderation." The tragic hero is unable to contend with such moderation because of his desires to bring about change.
A hero's attempt to bring about change due to the wound of indignity and humiliation, fueled by both indignation and anger gives him reason to create chaos and disorder within society. As a result, the conflict that a character faces challenges the strength of his will. Thus, tragedy can be defined as the battle between the human will and fate. .
Miller refers to the tragic flaw as, "his inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a threat to his dignity." Action brings upon change. The tragic flaw is that of the hero's attempt to bring about the transformation of society through his actions. .
Miller defends this thesis as he states that, "Tragedy is felt by man." Rank and nobility do not have much influence upon tragedy. Tragedy occurs when an individual, no matter their status, defies the norms of society. Furthermore, the leaders of society are most prone to tragedy because they have the greatest influence upon humanity. Leaders are not just kings and politicians; they are also the average man. In addition, a hero's tragic flaw involves an inhibition to remain stationary. As kings and men alike take action, the degree to which they are willing to do so differentiates the hero from man. .
Miller states that the hero's downfall is founded by a "tragic flaw", a flaw that is initiated by himself. In most tragedies, according to Miller, the hero is compelled by his indignation - the arousal of anger caused by injustice. Similarly, in the "General Introduction", Aristotle declares a tragic flaw to be an "act which undoes the hero hamartia".
