A study of threatened masculinity and tragic flaw in David Mamet's Edmond, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Oleanna

In David Mamet's Edmond, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Oleanna, the protagonists are portrayed as men who are plagued by the belief that their masculinity is being challenged and threatened. These men seek to overcome these challenges and claim their masculinity through various means: Edmond through sexual conquest, Levene through business success, and John through academic discourse. By analysing the three plays and their protagonists, this thesis aims to discuss that these men have a common tragic flaw: hubris. Their hubris causes them to make fatal mistakes, which in turn lead to their tragic downfall. As a consequence of their tragic downfall, the protagonists experience a reality that contradicts their initial conceptions of masculinity. Key Words : Masculinity, Tragic Flaw, Hubris, Femininity, Tragedy