the meaning of a tragic hero

Archetypes are often used in media to describe a character's actions and personality. One of the most popular archetypes is that of the hero. The hero is often described in classic literature as one who goes on a quest. Common quests include finding out his past, becoming the chosen one, saving the princess, and/or saving the world. While most of these characteristics don't fit Zack to a tee, he does fit them well enough to be a hero. After all, he finds out the pasts of the greatest SOLDIERS and the dark past of Shinra and by saving Cloud, he ultimately saves the world.

Beyond being a hero however, Zack is a tragic hero. The tragic hero is a hero who falls because of a mistake or an action rather than his own vice or depravity. Zack lives through several tragedies including the death of his mentor; however, this is not enough to make him a tragic hero. Zack's role as a tragic hero isn't cemented until his death. Zack's death was the result of his search for the truth and his eventual goal which of course, was to become a hero. Zack's search led him to discover the origins of Angeal, Genesis, and Sephiroth and because of his knowledge and his abilities; he was captured by Hojo and experimented on for four years. Even once he got away, his desire to save Cloud as well, led him to take a slower route which eventually enabled Shinra to catch up with them. His knowledge was far too valuable to let him live, so they killed him with several hundred infantrymen and a few helicopters.

Don't get me wrong, Zack's sacrifice was worth it, but his desire to learn the truth got him into a mess, while his desire to save Cloud led to his death. Without these factors Zack would never have become a tragic hero, but because he was a tragic hero the story of Final Fantasy VII led to the birth of a new hero. This essentially is what Zack created through his death, a new hero to take his place.