John McCain is a tragic figure in the fullest sense of Aristotle's definition of the "tragic hero."
Read on.
The Old Redneck has been hitting the Wild Turkey jug a bit tonight and it's possible he will not be as clear as he needs to be. However, he is certain that others will add comments to clarify and expand upon this seed of thought the Old Redneck wants to plant -- namely -- John McCain is a tragic hero as described by Aristotle.
Aristotle's ideas about tragedy were recorded in his book of literary theory titled "Poetics." In this work -- which should be studied by anyone who presumes to be educated -- Aristotle has a great deal to say about the structure, purpose, and intended effect of tragedy. His ideas have been adopted, disputed, expanded, and discussed for several centuries now.
The following is a summary of his basic ideas regarding the tragic hero:
- The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness. This should be readily evident in the play. The character must occupy a "high" status position but must ALSO embody nobility and virtue as part of his/her innate character.
- Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. Otherwise, the rest of us -- mere mortals -- would be unable to identify with the tragic hero. We should see in him or her someone who is essentially like us, although perhaps elevated to a higher position in society.
- The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate. In fact, the tragedy is usually triggered by some error of judgment or some character flaw that contributes to the hero's lack of perfection noted above. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as "hamartia" and is usually translated as "tragic flaw." Often the character's tragic flaw involves hubris -- arrogant pride or over-confidence.
- The hero's misfortune is not wholly deserved. The punishment exceeds the crime.
- The fall is not pure loss. There is some increase in awareness, some gain in self-knowledge, some discovery on the part of the tragic hero..
John McCain is closing his political and military careers as an Aristotelian tragic hero. He fits the mold perfectly.
Let's review:
- The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness.
His years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam are testimony to his nobility and greatness under immense pressure.
- Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect.
McCain himself admits to his imperfections -- womanizing, belligerent, hot-headed.
- The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate. In fact, the tragedy is usually triggered by some error of judgment or some character flaw that contributes to the hero's lack of perfection noted above. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as "hamartia" and is usually translated as "tragic flaw." Often the character's tragic flaw involves hubris -- arrogant pride or over-confidence.
Perfect description of McCain's tragic flaws -- judgment clouded by arrogance and hubris. And his choice of Sarah Palin -- talk about error in judgment.
- The hero's misfortune is not wholly deserved. The punishment exceeds the crime.
McCain, for all his faults, does not deserve the ingnominy that is about to be heaped upon him when he loses the presidency. The Republican "Base" will curse him to hell -- the RNC will turn its back on him -- Republican and rightwing talking heads will blame him for the electoral debacle -- when, in fact, they all are to blame -- John McCain was their sacrifical lamb.
- The fall is not pure loss. There is some increase in awareness, some gain in self-knowledge, some discovery on the part of the tragic hero.
We can hope that, after McCain's destruction, the Republican Party can recover itself and become the party of fiscal responsibility, reason, and temperament and no longer be the party of racism, theocracy, and fear-mongering.
And now, having planted the idea of McCain as a tragic hero, the Old Redneck will pour himself another two fingers of Wild Turkey and make way for those who are far more intelligent that he to clarify his comments.