Which term describes excessive pride leading to the downfall of a tragic hero?

The term that accurately describes excessive pride leading to the downfall of a tragic hero is hubris. In literature, hubris often refers to an overestimation of one's own competence, power, or capabilities, which typically results in a dramatic reversal of fortune. This concept is prevalent in Greek tragedies, where the protagonist's hubris causes them to defy moral laws or the gods, ultimately leading to their tragic downfall.

In contrast, anagnorisis refers to the moment of realization or recognition, particularly when a character learns a crucial piece of information that changes their situation. Nemesis refers to the inevitable punishment or downfall that a character faces as a result of their actions, while peripeteia denotes a sudden reversal of fortune in a narrative. While all these terms are important in understanding tragedy, it is hubris that is specifically associated with the excessive pride that precipitates a tragic hero's downfall.