Citizen Kane as a Tragic Hero Essay

Citizen Kane is an exciting film due to the innovative cinematic photography techniques, sound, and editing. However, these techniques can only be as good when they enhance the central theme. This leads to an imminent question about what comprises a good story. Aristotle provided a fascinating account in an attempt to answer this question through the classical Greek tragedy. The word tragedy has been used in various ways in the English context. Orson Welles, the director of Citizen Kane also directed nearly more than thirty performances of Shakespeare and Othello. Tragedy according to Aristotle is a play telling a noble story and arouses profound fear and pity that inflicts the audiences with sobering emotional relief. Therefore, the definition makes it clear that a critical component of a tragedy is a hero who suffers due to their inability to overcome their tragic flaws. It thus amplifies why Citizen Kane is a perfect American tragic hero.

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Charles Forster Kane suffers pain and sadness throughout his life because he believes that money can cure all his problems. This is a tragedy that bedevils Charles Forster Kane as well as other humans in a general sense. Despite the fact that not any person would admit that money can solve most of the problems people face in life, a critical analysis of people's lives would suggest otherwise. For instance, despite the overwhelming odds against winning, most people cannot resist the urge to play the lottery. Besides, the most influential people across the world - role models are people who have amassed a significant amount of wealth. Everyone is in a frantic race, like Kane to acquire the ability to buy anything they want in life. Kane is obsessed with newspaper. In a desperate attempt to make his wife a singing star, he buys her an opera house. Susan Alexander, Kane's wife, in a monotone voice complains about loneliness and fatigue. She cannot find anyone to talk to or have fun with. She laments that despite the huge estate, these are only sceneries. Initially, Kane had the perspective that he could use his huge wealth to influence and control the world. However, it turns out that it is the same money that controls his life.

A closer look at the events as they unfold throughout the movie points out their conformity to Shakespearean tragic hero. Kane is noble, which is true for an ideal tragedy. Although he is born in a humble background, he manages to attain high status at a young age. This in part signifies the American Dream that gives equal opportunity for people to grow and attain high statuses even to that of becoming wealthy and influential as in this case. Kane achieves nobility in a more traditional sense having acquired great wealth without a personal sweat. He thrusts himself to this high position, just like Hamlet, with no choice. Besides, Kane comes out as a man of great magnitude in the film who is held in high esteem. After all, he is the owner of the sixth largest private fortune across the planet. Nonetheless, Kane nearly losses everything as the film progress; there is a gradual but steady decline across the film. He lost his family and the elections he had become so confident of winning before his opponent reveals his clandestine relationship with Susan Alexander to the press. Although Susan succeeds to become Kane's second wife, she later quits citing lack of affection and attention from him. Kane becomes bankrupt during the Great Depression and ends up lonely in his please palace. Although the events happening in Kane's life took place in various proportions and circumstances, it befits the Aristotelian tragic hero since the combining the different incidences forms a complete whole that possesses magnitude.

Moreover, tragic heroes fall due to their tragic flaws. The film reminds of the story of King Lear who desperately sorts to be liked and loved by people. Similarly, Kane seeks much approval and people's love. He even desires visible signs of affection although he, just like King Lear is unable to return the affection. They can only shower their friends and loved ones with material things as a means of returning the visible signs of affection. Alternatively, the two characters can deal with people whom they perceive not to be showing them love through shutting them out entirely. As Kane's money, power and fame increased, so was his ego, pride, and greed. However, this appears as the case of almost everyone. Once an individual feels they are at the apex of life, they feel unstoppable. Nonetheless, it is at this point that Kane's heroism turns into a tragic tale that led to his miseries and ultimate end.

Kane had every material possession he would wish for, but his personality change made him lose everything. As the film progress, Kane turned from the humble but ambitious individual into a self-centered individual. In the end, he loses his empire, the people he loved and his best friends. In fact, he turned into an infamous legend.