a sudden and unexpected change of fortune or reverse of circumstances (especially in a literary work)

Catastrophe: A disaster 

Spectacle (n.): an unusual sight or public display 

Tragic hero: A literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy 

Draft

You never know what is going on on someone's head. They may seem like the happiest person alive, they may make others laugh with joy. But deep down, that person could be drowning in depression. Robin Williams, who always displayed great humour in his spectacle behind the scenes, is a great example of this. He was considered to be one of of the tragic heroes of this era because of the catastrophe that was his death. Robin Williams was always perceived as an outgoing and upbeat guy with no signs of melancholy. He had a happy active family life with a loving wife and children. However, his Hamartia came in when he started to get sick. Williams was diagnosed to have Lewy Body Dementia, which is a sickness which makes you move unwillingly when asleep and may cause depression. Also, this dementia can develop into certain levels of Parkinson and alzheimer. When the character realized how fatal his situation was he no longer desired to live. This peripeteia occurs when his sickness developed and he began abusing his medicine drugs.

Robin Williams, mostly known for being the comedians and actors in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, shocked the entire world when he decided to take his life in the dawn of August 11, 2014. Robin can be considered an actor with a really successful career, winning 4 grammy, 7 golden globes and two emmy awards for his performance behind the big screen. Many people can argue that he had everything, money, a spouse and good sense of humor.  The following quote by Anson Williams which worked with Williams  support this idea  "His was a one-of-a-kind genius. I was there watching him create that part on his feet. I mean, I saw the light of God! There was a light on him,". This shows how Williams was seen as someone with so much talent and success, even by his co workers.Robin Williams had a good rise to success. He was vividly exalted by many of his fans, including some of his co-workers.Therefore, it was expected that he would remain happy. It is a fact that having a successful career and a family increases that chances of feeling emotionally stable and feeling pleasure throughout your life.  The side that people knew about him was only the good one, however there was more to Robin Williams than just laughs and jokes.

You can never know what is going on in someones head or what they are feeling. One would think that Robin Williams would not have any worries, or any thoughts of depression. In reality, Robin Williams was a very depressive character. According to Susan Williams from the Guardian,  “We will never know exactly what Robin Williams was thinking when he opted to end his own life, and at this point it seems disrespectful and more than a little sinister to keep asking.”  This shows how there is that mystery inside what is happening in someone's mind. Not only was he addressed in work and exploited in order to bring entertainment to the people, but also he developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs. The addiction to drugs did not allow him to feel pleasure in a ny other part of his life, and when he was able to get out of it alcoholism took power over him. The final blow was his lewy body dementia, that lead to his deep depression and his suicide. Outside Robin Williams was a very charismatic and upbeat gay, however, inside he was fighting many demons.

The tragic element is used by the news mediasto attract audiences because they have that surprise 

factor which creates intrigue and a desire to know more. Elements of tragedy, or possible death is a theme that many people find attractive. When the great comedian, Robin Williams, decided to take his own life it was no different. The article by indepenten.co demonstrates it with the following quote, “A pocket knife was found close to the actor’s body, and there were superficial injuries on the body that Lt Boyd said were likely self-inflicted.” By using the words “superficial “ and “self inflicted”, the author added a factor of tragedy and suspense.The author uses this factor to create this feeling of intrigue and therefore makes the author want to know more. That is why the media or any other source that wants to attract audience uses tragedy This is because death is a serious serious and taboo theme which is not common. In Hamlet you can see how the element of tragedy is used to add interest to the piece. It is shown in the quote, “ For like the hectic in my blood he rages,And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done,Howe'er my hopes, my joys were ne'er begun. Act 4 Scene 3 Page 4”. By using the phrase hoped, my joys were  ne'er begun the author demonstrates how the character no longer desires to live since his hopes and joys are no longer there. This quote about hamlet shows how Hamlet had no desires to live anymore, even if he had lots to live for. He is the prince, he will eventually inherit an entire nation. He also has lots of wealth, and could probably we engaged to any women of his desire. Just like Robin Williams, he was very successful and had many wealth but still did not find joy. 

Tragic Hero

You never know what is going on on someone's head. They may seem like the happiest person alive, they may make others laugh with joy. But deep down, that person could be drowning in dolefulness. Robin Williams, who always displayed great humour in his spectacle behind the scenes, is a great example of this. He was considered to be one of of the tragic heroes of this era because of the catastrophe that was his death. Robin Williams was always perceived as an outgoing and upbeat guy with no signs of melancholy. He had a joyful active family life with a loving wife and children. However, his Hamartia came in when his sickness began to develop. Williams was diagnosed to have Lewy Body Dementia, which is a disease which makes you move unwillingly when asleep and has great chances of leading to  depression. Also, this dementia can develop into certain levels of Parkinson and alzheimer. When the character realized how fatal his situation was he no longer desired to live. This peripeteia occurs when his sickness developed and his reliance to drugs incremented.

Robin Williams, mostly known for being the comedians and actors in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, shocked the entire world when he decided to take his life in the dawn of August 11, 2014. Robin can be considered an actor with a really successful career, winning 4 grammy, 7 golden globes and two emmy awards for his performance behind the big screen. Many people can argue that he had everything, money, a spouse and good sense of humor.  The following quote by Anson Williams which worked with Williams  support this idea  "His was a one-of-a-kind genius. I was there watching him create that part on his feet. I mean, I saw the light of God! There was a light on him,". This shows how Williams was seen as someone with so much talent and success, even by his co workers.Robin Williams had a good rise to success. He was vividly exalted by many of his fans, including some of his co-workers.Therefore, it was expected that he would remain happy. It is a fact that having a successful career and a family increases that chances of feeling emotionally stable and feeling pleasure throughout your life.  The side that people knew about him was only the good one, however there was more to Robin Williams than just laughs and jokes.

You can never know what is going on in someones head or what they are feeling. One would think that Robin Williams would not have any worries, or any thoughts of distress. In reality, Robin Williams was a very depressive character. According to Susan Williams from the Guardian,  “We will never know exactly what Robin Williams was thinking when he opted to end his own life, and at this point it seems disrespectful and more than a little sinister to keep asking.”  This shows how there is that mystery inside what is happening in someone's mind. Not only was he addressed in work and exploited in order to bring entertainment to the people, but also he developed an addiction to alcohol and drugs. The addiction to drugs did not allow him to feel pleasure in a any area of his life, and when he was able to get out of it alcoholism took power over him. The final blow was his lewy body dementia, that lead to his deep distress and his suicide. Outside Robin Williams was a very charismatic and upbeat gay, however, inside he was fighting many demons.

The tragic element is used by the news media to attract audiences because they have that surprise factor which creates tremendous intrigue and a desire to know more. Elements of tragedy, or possible death is a theme that many people find attractive, it leaves the audience with a thirst to know more When the great comedian, Robin Williams, decided to take his own life it was no different. The article by Independent, demonstrates it with the following quote, “A pocket knife was found close to the actor’s body, and there were superficial injuries on the body that Lt Boyd said were likely self-inflicted.” By using the words “superficial “ and “self inflicted”, the author added a factor of tragedy and suspense.The author uses this factor to create this feeling of intrigue and therefore makes the reader want to know more. That is why the media or any other source that wants to attract audience uses tragedy.  This is because death or any other fatal situation, is a serious serious and taboo theme which is not common. In Hamlet, you can see how the element of tragedy is used to add interest to the piece. It is shown in the quote, “ For like the hectic in my blood he rages,And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done,Howe'er my hopes, my joys were ne'er begun. Act 4 Scene 3 Page 4”. By using the phrase hoped, my joys were  ne'er begun the author demonstrates how the character no longer desires to live since his hopes and joys are no longer there. This quote about hamlet shows how Hamlet had no desires to live anymore, even if he had lots to live for. He is the prince, he will eventually inherit an entire nation. He also has lots of wealth, and could probably we engaged to any women of his desire. Just like Robin Williams, he was very successful and had many wealth but still did not find joy.

Robin Williams has given society many moments of jay and uncontrollable laughs and allowed us to obtain a distraction from our daily problems and sorrows. With his cheerful grin and goofy jokes many people relaxed in the living watching their tv with their families. Robin was a the top of the comedy and film industry, and was admired by many. He had a great career as an actor, however, he was not able to fully enjoy it and perhaps could not reach his maximum potential. During most of his life he had problems with drugs and alcohol, ,which would eventually lead him to problems with his family friends or his health. Now, we all mourn the death of one of the greats of comedy, which occurred before it was supposed to. Robin Williams, just like Hamlet are perfect examples of great potential and skill being wasted because of emotional stability, making both of them tragic heroes.

Works Cited

Birkinbine, Julia. “Robin Williams' Friends Reveal the Joys of His Life: ‘He Was Happiest

Performing’ (EXCLUSIVE).” Closer Weekly, Closer Weekly, 8 Sept. 2017, 

“Our Loved Ones Are Not Dying from Suicide.” The Fix, 

Shakespeare, William, and George Rylands. Hamlet. Oxford University Press, 1993..

Walker, Tim. “Robin Williams Dead: Actor Was Found Hanging in His Bedroom by His Personal Assistant, Police Say.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media,

12 Aug. 2014,