Hubris
Literary term · say it HYOO-bris
Hubris is excessive pride or confidence that makes a character act as though ordinary limits do not apply to them. It often leads to reckless choices and suffering, especially when the character dismisses warnings or believes they cannot fail.
Ways hubris appears
Defying moral or religious limits
A character treats personal judgment or authority as greater than duties to others or the gods.
In Antigone, Creon refuses to allow the burial of Polyneices and angrily dismisses Tiresias's warning. His late change of mind cannot prevent the deaths in his family.
In Antigone by Sophocles
Boasting despite danger
A character's need to display superiority outweighs caution. Pride turns an escape or victory into a fresh danger.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus reveals his name to the blinded Cyclops despite his crew's warnings. Polyphemus then calls on his father, Poseidon, to punish him.
In The Odyssey by Homer
Believing oneself invulnerable
A character becomes so sure of safety or success that clear threats no longer seem worth taking seriously.
In Macbeth, Macbeth trusts the witches' assurances and believes he has little to fear from his enemies. His confidence collapses when their promises turn out to have meanings he did not expect.
In Macbeth by William Shakespeare
How to spot hubris
- Look for confidence that turns into contempt for others.
- Notice warnings, duties, or limits the character dismisses.
- Trace how that pride shapes choices and their consequences.
What is the difference between hubris and ordinary pride?
Hubris is pride that goes beyond reasonable confidence and makes someone disregard limits or other people. Ordinary pride can mean satisfaction in a genuine achievement. Look for the point where a character stops listening, claims special exemption, or assumes failure is impossible.
Is hubris the same as a tragic flaw?
Hubris can be a tragic flaw, but not every tragic flaw is hubris. A character might instead be undone by jealousy, indecision, or another weakness. Hubris specifically involves excessive pride or confidence, often shown through the refusal to accept warnings or limits.
Related terms
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