Describe a fictional character in one of your favorite books who possessed heroic qualities, only to fall because of a tragic character flaw

Question

possessed heroic qualities, only to fall because of a tragic character flaw

Answer 1

Oooh, I'd love to see an analysis of Harry Potter. Particularly, an analysis of Snape (his flaw was pride). 

Answer 2

Odysseus was the protagonist of Homer's Odyssey, and he possessed a myriad of heroic qualities, especially cunning.  However, he had the character flaw of pride, best exemplified in his exploits against Poseidon's son, the Cyclopes.  Upon blinding him and just before fully escaping his island, Odysseus had the audacity to identify himself to the otherwise helpless Cyclopes as the person who had blinded him.  In response, the Cyclopes petitioned his father, the god of the sea, Poseidon, to retaliate on his behalf, which he did, and which prevented Odysseus from reaching his home island for another decade after the Trojan War.

Answer 3

A tragedy is a play in which a good or noble character suffers a downfall as a result of a flaw in his/her character.  Examples of tragic characters (and their flaws) would be:  Antigone (stubbornness); Romeo & Juliet (impulsiveness); Hamlet (indecisiveness).