3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Building Character
Hamartia, the Tiger In the Dining Room & True Greatness
I. Hamartia
Hamartia (Greek: to miss the mark) is an ancient term from the world of literary criticism. It’s a character's fatal flaw that eventually leads to his or her downfall. Hubris, for example, can make an otherwise decent protagonist take unnecessary risks. As a result, tragedy runs its course until everything the hero has accomplished is reversed.
In storytelling and in real life, flaws are essential to make a character more human and relatable. This makes Hamartia strangely appealing. Imagine Shakespeare’s Macbeth as a perfectly ethical human being. Without his ambition to become king. Without the flaw that ultimately leads him down a violent path. How boring.
II. The Tiger in the Dining Room
What’s the most essential character trait? In Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, The Remains of the Day, experienced British butler Mr Stevens, Sr. makes the case for dignity. To illustrate his point, he relates an anecdote to his younger colleagues including his son, Mr Stevens, Jr.
There was this English butler out in India. One day, he goes in the dining room and what does he see under the table? A tiger. Not turning a hair, he goes straight to the drawing room. "Hum, hum. Excuse me, my lord," and whispering, so as not to upset the ladies:
‘I’m very sorry, sir, but there appears to be a tiger in the dining room. Perhaps you will permit the twelve-bores to be used?’ And according to legend, a few minutes later, the employer and his guests heard three gun shots. When the butler reappeared in the drawing room some time afterwards to refresh the teapots, the employer had inquired if all was well.
‘Perfectly fine, thank you, sir,’ had come the reply. ‘Dinner will be served at the usual time and I am pleased to say there will be no discernible traces left of the recent occurrence by that time.’
—The Remains of the Day
Mr Stevens, Sr. is overjoyed by the butler’s ability to keep his composure in even the direst situation. He had made it his life’s mission to become that dignified butler himself. Sadly, both Mr Stevens, Sr. and his son end up sacrificing their personal lives and relationships in the breathless pursuit of professional dignity.
III. True Greatness
Arguably, true greatness has never been defined more fittingly than by American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The heroic soul does not sell its justice and its nobleness. It does not ask to dine nicely and to sleep warm. The essence of greatness is the perception that virtue is enough. Poverty is its ornament. It does not need plenty, and can very well abide its loss.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com
