1. Plural of hamartia; a fatal flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero or protagonist.
Usage: Literary term; commonly used in drama and literature criticism; Derived from Greek tragedy

Examples

• The protagonist's hamartias—pride and ambition—ultimately destroyed him.
• In classical Greek drama, the hero's hamartias often lead to catastrophic consequences.
• Literary critics debate whether Macbeth's hamartias stem from his ambition or his susceptibility to manipulation.
• The novel explores multiple hamartias that contribute to the character's tragic end.
• Understanding the hamartias of tragic figures helps readers grasp the moral lessons of the story.