Which figure in literature is often associated with the concept of the "tragic hero"?

The figure often associated with the concept of the "tragic hero" is Oedipus Rex, a character from the ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles. In classical literature, a tragic hero is typically defined as a noble individual who possesses a significant flaw or experiences a downfall due to a combination of fate and their own actions. Oedipus embodies this archetype vividly; he is a king of Thebes who seeks to rid his city of a plague but ultimately discovers that he is the source of the misfortune due to his unwitting fulfillment of a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

His journey exemplifies the characteristics of a tragic hero: he is of noble birth, exhibits hubris (excessive pride), and makes critical mistakes that lead to his tragic end, arousing feelings of pity and fear in the audience. The themes of fate, free will, and the tragic consequences of one's actions are central to the understanding of Oedipus as a tragic hero. This makes him a quintessential example in discussions of tragedy in literature.