Brian Ramey Period 4 Modern Tragic Hero Due: 3/30/12 The Tyson Tragedy: An Examination of Contemporary Icons through

Ancient Greek Perspective Over a thousand years ago the Greek tragic plays were dramatically composed with a key component: the provocative struggle of a "Tragic Hero." This group of tragic heroes, although subject to some alterations, possessed many of the same characteristics and would endure similar high-pressure situations. They had a high status in society which was destroyed when the hero experienced a fall from grace. This fall was routinely caused by a fatal flaw. After the hero's fall he would enter a period of enlightenment, where he would recognize his mistakes and identify the cause of his own demise. Although these plays were written thousands of years ago there are still examples of real-life tragic heroes. To find a modern example of a tragic hero one must look no further than the infamous Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson rose to fame not by noble birth but through knockout performances in the ring. Mike Tyson has become synonymous with the term "knockout artist". He climbed through the ranks of Heavyweight boxing through his brutal haymakers that left his opponents dazed and confused. He gave the people what they wanted: brutal entertainment. The peak of his career was his momentous victory in the 1986 championship followed by his acquirement of the title "heavyweight champion". Mike was merely 19 years old at the time of the championship. He was a prodigy, and his talent and force earned him the status as household name, regarded by many to be one of the greatest boxers of all time. He recorded 50 wins with an astonishing 44

knockouts and a mere 3 loses.He was making tens of millions of dollars in a single fight. Although not born into wealth, Mike Tyson worked relentlessly to achieve high esteem. After years of fame, Mike Tyson experienced a hard fall from grace. Starting in 1989 Mike had begun to show signs of erratic behavior. He was involved in at least 2 street fights. He married and divorced Robin Givens after being accused of domestic violence. Considering this erratic behavior he still was held in high regard by society and the boxing community. His real fall began when Mike was accused of raping Desiree Washington. This trial was inevitably going to hurt Mike's reputation regardless of the outcome. A large number of people began to dislike Tyson, especially women, who began to view the debacle as a trial for womens rights. The jury had little choice but to find him guilty and Tyson served 3 years in a penitentiary. Tyson had been labeled a rapist and his name had been diminished to a point where no amount of fights could bring him back to his old fame. Mike's next and arguably most memorable slip-up took place in the ring. He had again acquired the heavy weight title. Unfortunately for Mike, he lost in a bout against Evander Holyfeild. The knockout artist was knocked out in the 11th round. Frustrated after enduring additional slander, Tyson demanded a rematch. In 1997 his wish was granted. After 2 rounds Tyson was losing badly to Holyfeild and the crowed turned on him. Mike's control withered away. Through his frustration he spit out his mouthpiece and bit a large chunk of Holyfield's ear off. After a brief stoppage the match ensued and was finally ended when Tyson bit Holyfields other ear. This was the final blow to Tyson's reputation. He was disqualified from the match and was viewed by many to be uncontrollable. His fall from

grace caused him to start using cocaine. Mike Tyson was only a tainted shell of the larger-than-life figure he was at 19. Mike Tyson's fatal flaw was his lack of control. Tyson had always been shockingly aggressive, a trait that is evident in the fights throughout his career. His aggressiveness found solace in the ring where it could be used productively. The same aggressiveness that enabled him to be a world-famous knockout fighter is also responsible for the events that led to his fall. First evident early in his career when he abused his first wife. Mike was not able to control his aggression and his wife was the victim. The same aggression that was apparent in his first marriage is also to blame for his conviction as a rapist. As most psychologists would agree, rape is more an aggressive act of dominating another person than a sexual act. His unchecked aggression was a driving force behind this horrible act. His final major downturn, which occurred during the Holyfield fight, is another prime example of his aggressiveness. Mike was consumed by his anger, and caused him to lose sight of his actual goal. He was not able to conform his rage to fit boxing standards of conduct, resulting in the biting Holyfield's ear. This is unadulterated rage that can no longer be viewed as sport because it is aimed purely at hurting another human being. Although I have stated that his aggression is a driving force behind these acts, it is his lack of control not his aggression that is to blame for his downfall. When viewed simplistically the events previously stated seem to be caused by Mike's aggression. However, the human psyche cannot be considered both accurately and simplistically. Upon further consideration, there can be no mistaking that his aggression is what led him straight to fame; therefore, aggression is not his problem. His lack of control or his inability to

aim this aggression for solely productive activities is really to blame. When Mike used his aggression in the ring, the people cheered for him. It was not until he stopped restraining his aggression that his raw emotion became a detriment to his success. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that Mike's lack of control caused his ultimate downfall. This damaging lack of control is a prime example of a fatal flaw. The attribute that separates Mike Tyson as a "tragic hero" is his recognition that he made a mistake. He spells this out quite clearly in an interview he did with Oprah on live television. He came clean about his first marriage and said "it was definitely an abusive marriage". This statement was very difficult for Mike to make demonstrated by his immediate, crying breakdown. This response proves that he has become aware of his former serious errors in judgment. In 2009 Mike had a sit down with Holyfeild where he said he respected Holyfield and ultimately apologized to him. The two shook hands while radiating sincerity. This proves he recognized that biting Holyfield's ear was wrong. Recently, a documentary about Tyson was made narrated largely by Tyson himself. In the movie Tyson remarks you didn't "know if I was going to take you out to dinner or stab you with a fork." He continues to state "I'm a nice guy but [in the Holyfield fight] I went insane" proving his own surprise at his unleashed emotions unfolding on televisions around the world. His statements support his clear recognition of the erratic actions caused by his lack of control. Mike Tyson is a near-perfect example of a "tragic hero". He is of high esteem for being a "Heavy Weight Champion" for many years of his career. He later experienced a downfall, marking his transformation from famous to

infamous. His sentencing and irreversibly-tarnished reputation are the direct results of a fatal flaw: his irrational, enraged reactions. Tyson underwent an emotional period of recognition and apologized repeatedly for his wrongdoings. Mike Tyson has the key iconic components of the ancient tragic heroes, earning him a place among Oedipus and Creon as well as the heavyweight champions.