... tragic hero evokes our pity because he is not thoroughly evil and his misfortune is greater than he deserves, and he evokes our fear because we realize we are fallible and could make the same error." An example of this 'hamartia' is excessive pride, also known as the 'hubris', which overwhelms the tragic hero's conscience, hence leading him to violate or ignore a divine warning or moral law. There are reasons to both believe and deny that Medea fits Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero, or 'heroine'. Medea was a victim of her own emotions in a very difficult situation, and her surroundings/society only deteriorated that situation. One could also argue that it was her society, which put her in such a circumstance in the first place. The Greeks should be held very much responsible for Medea's excesses. "A good legal system will eliminate the need for vengeance." 2 And ...

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