What does the term 'hubris' indicate in a tragedy?

The term 'hubris' is traditionally understood as excessive pride or self-confidence, particularly in a tragic context. In literature, especially in Greek tragedy, hubris often leads to a character's downfall because it blinds them to reality, causes them to disregard warnings, or leads to actions that provoke the gods or fate. This excessive pride usually manifests when a character believes they can overcome any obstacles, defy the natural order, or act without consequence.

In a tragedy, hubris becomes a central theme that propels the narrative forward and ultimately leads to the protagonist's tragic end. Characters who exhibit hubris often experience a dramatic reversal of fortune—a forerunner to their critical realization, downfall, or demise, reinforcing the moral lessons inherent in the tragedy. Understanding hubris is crucial for readers and audiences as it helps in dissecting the complex interplay between human ambition and fate, which is a recurrent motif in tragic storytelling.