Literary tragedy is a genre of drama that presents serious themes and often ends in disaster for the main character. It typically explores human suffering, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of flawed decisions. The protagonist, often of noble birth, faces a downfall due to a tragic flaw, known as hamartia, which leads to their eventual demise or ruin. Key elements of literary tragedy include catharsis, the emotional release experienced by the audience, and peripeteia, a sudden reversal of fortune. Famous examples of literary tragedy can be found in the works of playwrights like William Shakespeare, whose plays such as Hamlet and Macbeth illustrate the complexities of human nature and fate.