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The truly tragic kind of suffering is the kind produced…

“The truly tragic kind of suffering is the kind produced and defiantly insisted upon by the hero himself so that, instead of making him better, it makes him worse and when he dies he is not reconciled to the law but defiant, that is, damned. Lear is not a tragic hero, Othello is.” quote by W. H. Auden
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“The truly tragic kind of suffering is the kind produced and defiantly insisted upon by the hero himself so that, instead of making him better, it makes him worse and when he dies he is not reconciled to the law but defiant, that is, damned. Lear is not a tragic hero, Othello is.”

W. H. Auden

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑inflicted suffering that stems from stubborn pride worsens a person, leading to a tragic, unreconciled end.

In simple terms: Pride can cause self‑destruction.

Key Takeaway

Avoid stubborn pride.

Themes

pride tragedy self‑destruction

Mood

reflective somber

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • leadership
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

classical literature psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you recognize moments when pride harms you?
  • How can humility change a tragic outcome?
A Different Perspective

Self‑inflicted suffering may be mitigated by humility and self‑awareness.

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