Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
their destiny, their fellow men, or the gods. Ultimately it leads to their destruction.
M o s t commonly this tragic flaw was a k i n d of pride or arrogance called
hubris. Tragic heroes are often superior people with extraordinary powers but they
tend to see themselves as equal to or better than the gods. T h e y ignore fair warnings
or defy the local moral codes, thinking they are above the laws of gods and men.
T h i s fatal arrogance inevitably unleashes a force called Nemesis, originally a goddess
of retribution. H e r job was to set things back into balance, usually by bringing about
the destruction of the tragic hero.
Every well-rounded hero has a trace of this tragic flaw, some weakness or
fault that makes him thoroughly human and real. Perfect, flawless heroes aren't very
interesting, and are hard to relate to. Even Superman has weak spots which humanize
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