Essay | Vivian Bearing: Shakespearean Heroine

Shakespeare´s definition of a tragic hero stands between the epic hero and the scondrel: he is an exceptional being though not completely noble; he has a flaw of character which contributes to his degeneration and eventually leads to his downfall, that is to say death: be it physical or moral, preceded by transfiguration. This redemption serves the purpose of restoring heroic qualities and takes place just before the hero´s demise, in recognition of his flaw. In the particular case of Margaret Edson´s so acclaimed play Wit, the protagonist, Vivian Bearing fits perfectly into the definition of the tragic hero. Her intellectual rather than emotional life, the irony of her role reversal from teacher to lab rat together with her degradation exemplified by her need for affection and her eventual transfiguration largely constitute the central components of Edson´s protagonist, undoubtedly a tragic heroine by the above standards.

Vivian Bearing...
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