Hamartia
* Meaning: A tragic flaw, a mistake, or an error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a protagonist. It's not necessarily a moral failing, but rather a character trait or weakness that ultimately brings about their destruction.
* Example: In Sophocles' *Oedipus Rex*, Oedipus's hamartia is his pride and stubborn refusal to accept the truth about his parentage, ultimately leading him to unknowingly kill his father and marry his mother.
Hubris
* Meaning: Excessive pride, arrogance, or self-confidence that leads to a protagonist's downfall. It is often associated with a disregard for the gods or divine laws.
* Example: In Aeschylus' *Prometheus Bound*, Prometheus's hubris lies in his defiance of Zeus and his giving fire to humans, a gift that Zeus considered to be his prerogative. This act of hubris leads to Prometheus's punishment.
Key Differences:
* Hamartia is a flaw or mistake, while hubris is an attitude or state of being.
* Hamartia can be unintentional, while hubris is usually intentional.
* Hamartia can be any kind of flaw, while hubris is specifically excessive pride.
In Summary:
* Hamartia is the tragic flaw that causes a protagonist's downfall.
* Hubris is the excessive pride or arrogance that leads to a protagonist's downfall.
Both hamartia and hubris are important elements in Greek tragedy, as they help to explain the downfall of the protagonist and raise questions about the nature of human fallibility and the consequences of our actions.