What is hemartia?

Hamartia is a literary term that refers to a tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a character, particularly in classical tragedy. It is often associated with the protagonist's inherent weaknesses or moral shortcomings, which ultimately result in their undoing. The concept is closely tied to the idea of fate and the consequences of one's actions, highlighting the complexity of human nature. In essence, hamartia serves to illustrate the tragic dimensions of a character's journey.