Hawthornes Scarlet Letter - Tragic Hero or Merely Tragic? :: Scarlet Letter essays

Arthur Tragic Hero or Merely Tragic? In Nathaniel Hawthornes ardent tale of The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale, a main character, is confronted with a number of circumstances, some(prenominal) in and out of his control, that lead to his ultimate demise.  While it can be argued that Arthur is a tragic hero, he lacks the underlying goodness and strength inbred for him to fulfill this role.  Otherwise, it may be demonstrated that Arthur meets all the criteria as a tragic hero, though there are other discrepancies to be noted. Arthur Dimmesdale, a minister, lives his life under the watchful yet admiring eye of the townspeople of capital of Massachusetts and, as a result, becomes a slave to the public opinion.  His sin against Hester and dip is that he bequeath not acknowledge them as his wife and fille in the day escaped.  He keeps his dreadful secret from all those under his alimony in the church for seven years for fear that he will lose their love an d they will not forgive him.  He is too weak to admit his sins openly and in their entirety.   Instead, he allows his parishioners to lift him in their esteem by confessing, in all humility, that he is a sinner The minister well knew--subtle but remorseful hypocrite that he was--the light in which his vague confession would be viewed. (127)  They love him all the more than for his honest and humble character, and this is Arthurs intent.  Even as he plans to run apart with Hester four days after their meeting in the forest, he comforts himself with the knowledge that he will give his sermon on preordination on the third day, and thus will leave his community with complaisant memories of his final exhortation.  Arthurs flaw can be found in the circumstance that he chooses to value the public view above those of Hester, his love, and God, his master. Arthur, punishing himself for his surly secret, which his need for public affirmation will not let hi m reveal, step by step kills himself through guilt and masochistic ritual.       His inward trouble drove him more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome, than with the better light of the church in which he had been born and bred. In Mr. Dimmesdales secret closet, under run and key, there was a bloody scourge.  Oftentimes, this Protestant and Puritan divine had plied it on his own shoulders laughing bitterly at himself all the while.