What is Hamartia or Tragic Flaw

Tragic flaw is a synonym for Hamartia. It is the defect in the tragic hero which brings about his downfall. Tragic flaw or hamartia is an error in judgment whether through ignorance or moral fault. ) Hamartia (great error or frailty) is caused either by bad judgment, bad character, inherited weakness,’ or any other several causes of error, and it is expressed through a definite action. For this frailty or error in judgment, a tragic hero moves from happiness to misery and ultimately dies. 

For example, Macbeth’s error in his character is his high ambition; Faustus’s error is his indomitable yearning for unlimited power; Duchess’s error is her inconsiderate secret marriage.