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Hubris: Difference between revisions
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The Greeks saw hubris as an "overweening presumption suggesting impious disregard of the limits governing human action in an orderly universe"(Merriam-Webster). In other words, hubris, or ''hybris'', is an excessive sense of pride in a human being. These humans often believe that they can accomplish more than the universe itself will allow. Roger Fowler defines ''hubris'' as " a man's denial of his own mortality" (198). Indeed it seems that the only way for a person to obtain such pride is to loose all sense of fear for his own wellbeing. After all, if a person has no fear at all, then they have a perfect pride in themselves, and in some ways, may even believe that they are perfect. "''Hubris'' is the Greek word for 'insolance' or 'affront'" (Baldick 260). Baldick continues, " Thus, ''hubris'' is the pride that comes before the fall" (260). Eventhough an overpowering sense of pride is healthy for one's self esteem, such pride could be considered insolance, or a negative trait, by others. | The Greeks saw hubris as an "overweening presumption suggesting impious disregard of the limits governing human action in an orderly universe"(Merriam-Webster). In other words, hubris, or ''hybris'', is an excessive sense of pride in a human being. These humans often believe that they can accomplish more than the universe itself will allow. Roger Fowler defines ''hubris'' as " a man's denial of his own mortality" (198). Indeed it seems that the only way for a person to obtain such pride is to loose all sense of fear for his own wellbeing. After all, if a person has no fear at all, then they have a perfect pride in themselves, and in some ways, may even believe that they are perfect. "''Hubris'' is the Greek word for 'insolance' or 'affront'" (Baldick 260). Baldick continues, " Thus, ''hubris'' is the pride that comes before the fall" (260). Eventhough an overpowering sense of pride is healthy for one's self esteem, such pride could be considered insolance, or a negative trait, by others. | ||
''Hubris'' is probably best defined through tragedy( generally, a play ending in death). " Aristotle attributes ''hamartia''(tragic flaw or shortcoming) to the tragic hero"(Barnett-Berman-Burto 112). In the case of a tragedey, ''hubris'' is often the tragic flaw that causes the downfall of a hero. In the most famous examples, the Greek tragedies, the gods would become offended by a man that believed in himself too much. Therefore, they would torture him with unfortunate events that would eventually lead to his demise. ''Hubris'', at times, can also be a mistake. " In other plays, it(''hubris'') is merely a misstep, such as a choice that turns out badly" (Barnett-Berman-Burto 112). For example, in | ''Hubris'' is probably best defined through tragedy( generally, a play ending in death). " Aristotle attributes ''hamartia''(tragic flaw or shortcoming) to the tragic hero"(Barnett-Berman-Burto 112). In the case of a tragedey, ''hubris'' is often the tragic flaw that causes the downfall of a hero. In the most famous examples, the Greek tragedies, the gods would become offended by a man that believed in himself too much. Therefore, they would torture him with unfortunate events that would eventually lead to his demise. ''Hubris'', at times, can also be a mistake. " In other plays, it (''hubris'') is merely a misstep, such as a choice that turns out badly" (Barnett-Berman-Burto 112). For example, in Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'', Macbeth kills Duncan in order to improve his life. In reality, the exact opposite happens, and Macbeth slowly spirals through a chain of events into despair. | ||
==Works Cited== | ==Works Cited== | ||