Michael Jackson: tragic hero essay
People who are famous are more likely to have a downfall than those who are not. Entertainers especially are always talked about for having a drug problem or some other scandal. Like Oedipus, Michael Jackson is a tragic hero. He is a tragic hero in that he is of noble birth, he is essentially good, and he struggles to solve his problems.
Michael Jackson was of noble birth. At the age of five, he started performing with his brothers in a band called the Jackson 5 in 1964. After becoming famous, he split away from the group in 1971. He released his first solo album when he was thirteen. One of his later albums, Thriller, is the the best selling album of all time. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson)
Michael Jackson was essentially good. In 1984, he donated $1.5 million to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children after his head was burned filming a Pepsi commercial. He raised money for Africa with the song We Are The World in 1985. The Man In The Mirror proceeds were given to Camp Ronald McDonald. He also started a college scholarship for students interested in the performing or musical arts. (https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/michael-jackson)
Michael Jackson struggles to solve his problems. In 2001, he was granted a loan for $200 million. In 2002, he was sued for $2 million in unpaid fees and expenses by the. Jackson was sued by for $7 million, although they eventually settled out of court. He was also sued by various other people over the years, leaving him heavily in debt. (http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268276/michael-jackson-died-deeply-in-debt)
Michael Jackson is a tragic hero. He is of noble birth, is essentially good, and struggles to solve his problems. His death just before his revival tour made it even more tragic. Entertainers are more likely to have tragic deaths, like Micheal Jackson and many others are continuing this trait.
"Michael Jackson." Look To The Stars . Look To The Stars, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2017. <https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/michael-jackson>.
"Michael Jackson." Michael Jackson. Wikipedia, 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 13 Feb. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson>.
Billboard. "Michael Jackson Died Deeply In Debt." Michael Jackson Died Deeply In Debt. Billboard, 26 June 2009. Web. 13 Feb. 2017. <http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268276/michael-jackson-died-deeply-in-debt>.
