Super Bowl XLIV: Are The Colts and Peyton Manning Aristotle's Puppets?

When the term "Greek Tragedy" springs to mind, we often think of the philosopher Aristotle, and his works Poetics.

We may also think of tragic plays, with notable ones including the work of Sir William Shakespeare and his "Big Four": Othello, King Lear, Hamlet, and Romeo & Juliet.

But on Sunday, Feb. 7th, 2010, only one thing sprung into mind upon hearing the term "greek tragedy."

It was America's greatest sporting event, the Super Bowl XLIV in Miami's magnificent Sun Life Stadium—home to the Miami Dolphins—where the New Orleans Saints emerged unlikely victors over the Indianapolis Colts with a 31-17 victory.

As described by many Colts fans across the world, their performance in the last quarter was "tragic."

And from the Colts' performance, it seemed that they did indeed have all the elements of an Aristotelian protagonist: hubris, hamartia, and catharsis.

Hubris—Excessive pride, or just plain arrogance...

According to Aristotle, for the character to be a tragic protagonist they must display excessive pride in themselves (otherwise known as arrogance), and it will be this excessive pride which ultimately leads to their downfall.

Leading up to the biggest televised event in American history, it could be said that the Indianapolis Colts displayed excessive pride, and well...we all know what the outcome was.

The Colts had won their AFC Divisional Playoffs with a 20-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens, and then won the AFC Conference Championship with a 30-17 win over the New York Jets to reach the Super Bowl.

The Colts were in sublime form, and quarterback Peyton Manning was sensational, winning the Most Valuable Player award for the fourth time.

All of these factors could show that the Colts displayed excessive pride, and it was this hubris which lead to the next element, hamartia, and ultimately their 31-17 downfall after leading 10-0 following the first quarter.

Hamartia—Ain't Flawless No More

In Poetics , Aristotle claims the next element a tragic protagonist must have is hamartia , a fatal flaw which directly causes the downfall of the protagonist.

The Indianapolis Colts' hubris from before kick-off had rubbed off on the field, and after completely dominating in the first quarter, and with impressive defense in the second quarter, the Colts perhaps thought they could take their foot off the gas.

But before they knew it, the end of the third quarter came and the New Orleans Saints were pulling their way back into the contest, and were only 17-16 down.

Come the fourth quarter, the ultimate display of hubris from Peyton Manning led to his team's demise. He had all the time in the world in pursuit of the glorious touchdown pass, but instead lost control of his abilities and threw the football straight to Tracy Porter, and we all know what happened then—he capitalized, and punished Manning for his fatal flaw.

Minutes later, touchdown tragedy hit the Colts again, and the Saints had a famous Super Bowl victory.

Catharsis—Just let it all out son...

At the final whistle, whilst of course condemning the Colts' fate, according to Aristotle, the sound of that referee's whistle (i.e. the end of the tragedy) is meant to "purge the human soul of its excessive passions."

For everyone connected with the Indianapolis Colts, watching that tragedy in Miami unfold would've meant enduring a build-up of anger, pity, and fear elicited from the players' hamartia.

That final whistle brought the tragedy to an end, and would allow catharsis, a purification of emotion, to take place for all those connected to the tragedy's tragic protagonist.

Through the slumped bodies, tearful eyes and that look of sheer disbelief, the players, coaches, fans, and executive businessmen of the Colts alike, let out their emotions following the game at the Sun Life Stadium.

It was over now, and for those in the Colts' colors, the final whistle meant they did not have to suffer any longer.

Finally, according to Aristotle there has to be some sort of benefit for the other characters or the audience following the tragic protagonist's downfall.

The fall of the Colts in front of the world in Florida of course was very tragic for millions across the globe.

However, this downfall meant the Saints could get their first, and long awaited, Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

At least if there was one positive from the Colts' Greek tragedy in Miami, it's that by becoming an Aristotelian puppet, the Saints have become "America's team"—with their successful bid to win the Super Bowl seen by many to represent the city's resurgence after the devastating Hurricane Katrina.