Question

a work in which the flaws of the protagonist cause him tremendous suffering and result in a disastrous conclusion

Answer 1

That is a tragedy.

Definition: a tragedy is a work (play, novel, film, etc.) in which the protagonist’s flaws or poor choices (often called a tragic flaw or hamartia) bring about his or her suffering and a disastrous or fatal conclusion. Classical tragedies often include reversal (peripeteia), recognition (anagnorisis), and produce catharsis in the audience.

Famous examples:
- Oedipus Rex (Sophocles) — Oedipus’s attempts to avoid fate and his errors of judgment lead to ruin.
- Macbeth (Shakespeare) — Macbeth’s ambition and unchecked desire for power cause his destruction.
- King Lear (Shakespeare) — pride and misjudgment bring tragic consequences for Lear and others.
- The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) — Gatsby’s idealism and obsession contribute to his downfall.
- Breaking Bad (TV) — Walter White’s pride and moral compromises lead to catastrophic consequences.

If you want, I can give a brief analysis of a specific tragedy or explain the elements (hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, catharsis) in more detail.